Public First’s OxCamArC growth report and the costs of building houses

I disagree with the report’s statement about using the creation of more jobs to stimulate developers to build out the large number of planning permissions they already have. Also, ‘Oxford-Cambridge-Growth-Corridor’ is too inconvenient a phrase, so am sticking with the Arc. But before we start… Greater Cambridge Development Corporation published its response to the GreaterContinue reading “Public First’s OxCamArC growth report and the costs of building houses”

Shaping North Cambridge events in October 2026

A number of Cambridge City Council meetings highlight a number of housing issues that residents are being invited to discuss throughout October 2026 The papers for the Performance, Assets and Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee (taking place at The Meadows Centre in Arbury – Tuesday, 6th October, 2026 5.30 pm) has at item 6 anContinue reading “Shaping North Cambridge events in October 2026”

Looking at refreshed developer pitches published in 2026 that so far have not made it into the draft local plan

I’m trying to work out how I found the spreadsheet and information because the instructions from the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service keep changing, meaning half of my weblinks become obsolete far too quickly! I’d like to think most local communities are already aware of what has been proposed for near them, but you neverContinue reading “Looking at refreshed developer pitches published in 2026 that so far have not made it into the draft local plan”

Objections to new Cambridge South East Busway now published

The Government confirmed a new public inquiry for the controversial CSET Busway in early September 2026 – but why have so many objectors criticised the GCP and its consultants over poor communications and consultation? You can read: The core documents for the CSET inquiry here The statements of case from the applicant and those partiesContinue reading “Objections to new Cambridge South East Busway now published”

What might a ‘Shaping South Cambridge’ day be like?

North Cambridge is getting one, so can we have one too? Above – from Cambridge Community Development on FB here You can sign up for the above-mentioned event via here The list of participants is also long. Above – Cambridge Community Development on FB Above – Nurture Development (2015) Communities are the atomic elements ofContinue reading “What might a ‘Shaping South Cambridge’ day be like?”

What is the reality of new developments?

I got called out by a former Cambridge City Council executive councillor on FB and her criticisms – valid as they are, also helped make the point I was trying to make My original blogpost was about Orchard Park Community School. Former Cambridge City Councillor Clare King (formerly of the Liberal Democrats before switching toContinue reading “What is the reality of new developments?”

The cumulative needs of a growing Cambridge are not just buildings and amenities alone

First Secretary of State Louise Haigh of Cabinet Office said at the Labour Party Conference earlier, the concept of Total Place will be returning. It has to go beyond pooling budgets and ensuring that the organisations, governance, and administrative arrangements are in place too You can watch Louise Haigh’s speech here It’s easier to explainContinue reading “The cumulative needs of a growing Cambridge are not just buildings and amenities alone”

Becoming a nation of neighbours in economies with high population churns

On the Demos report of 25 September 2026 and why it is a challenge for a place like Cambridge You can read the Demos report here. It has one really powerful statement emerging from focus groups that highlight the scale of the problems facing everyone, and it is this: “Yet the prevailing sense was thatContinue reading “Becoming a nation of neighbours in economies with high population churns”

What support can Cambridge provide for Orchard Park Community School?

Some of you may have seen the recent headlines about their recent Ofsted Report. The community should not have to face their challenges alone In one sense, the contrast could not be greater. Geographically Orchard Park, an urban extension to Cambridge that administratively sits outside of Cambridge City Council’s boundaries, also has Cambridge Science ParkContinue reading “What support can Cambridge provide for Orchard Park Community School?”

Ox-Cam-Arc good growth event comes to Cambridge as Mayor goes to Time for Trams conference

There are still a few tickets left for the Good Growth event on 06 October 2026 In the meantime the CPCA Mayor Paul Bristow was at the Time for Trams event in Coventry Sadly there’s no livestream but I’m assuming something will be written up for next month’s Tramways and Urban Transit Magazine. (Am IContinue reading “Ox-Cam-Arc good growth event comes to Cambridge as Mayor goes to Time for Trams conference”