Future Cambridge

This page attempts to function as a landing page for the many proposals, policies and developments that have transformed, are transforming, and will transform Cambridge from the small university town many imagine it to be, to whatever it will become in the future.

Above – we’ve had future visions of Cambridge in times gone by – such as this in 1975 following the collapse of the Parry Lewis proposals

Future Cambridge 2050 – Final Public Consultation now open

See the details from the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service here.

The public events for September 2026 that you can rock up at are as follows:

Above – from GCSP here

Local and general elections have resulted in a significant level of party political turmoil that has destabilised the decision-making institutions and left Cambridge with something of a vacuum on important issues such as transport policy – the 4th transport strategy in just over a decade is now in the works. Each of the previous ones being significantly different to the previous one.

The Greater Cambridge Development Corporation

The House of Lords voted to approve the legislation creating the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation following a debate on 22 July 2026.

I will create a list of blogposts at the foot of this page that link to my blogposts on the Cambridge Growth Company and Development Corporation

The draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan

This expanding section will cover blogposts on the consultation on the draft local plan documents over summer 2026 following the ***massive document drop*** made earlier this month (July 2026)

  1. Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Topic Paper
  2. Infrastructure Topic Paper
  3. Jobs Topic Paper (incl Adult Education & Lifelong Learning)
  4. Skyline and Tall Buildings
  5. Green space – but how much is accessible?
  6. Creating Places for Wellbeing – what building and wall patterns to avoid
  7. Transport Mitigation Measures for New Strategic Sites
Greater Cambridge Transport Strategy – Combined Authority

I’m not exactly sure where we are with the Transport Strategy other than it is being redrafted. I expect we will get more clarity following the September 2026 Committee Meetings.

The Greater Cambridge Unitary Council

On 16th July 2026, The former Secretary of State for Housing Communities & Local Government wrote to local council leaders in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough confirming the delay in making a decision on the future structure of the new unitary councils.

Elections in May 2027 will be for the shadow unitary councils that will function side-by-side with the existing councils before the latter are wound up in May 2028.

Cambridge Growth Company blogposts

If you are interested in the longer term future of Cambridge, and on what happens at the local democracy meetings where decisions are made, feel free to: