[Members] Consultation on the Gter Cambridge Development Corporation; Update on Civic Quarter plans

Tue Mar 31 12:54:20 BST 2026

Dear all,

*Update 1 April, 2026*

REMINDER: *Consultation on the Urban Development Corporation* *for Greater
Cambridge *

*D**eadline for **comments**, midnight today *

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/establishing-a-development-corporation-in-greater-cambridge

*Who decides Cambridge’s Future? *

Cambridge Past, Present and Future hosted a debate about the consultation
on Monday, 23 March. Each panellist had 7 minutes to make their case . The
government rep was a civil servant from MHCLG. Link below for list of panel
members

https://cambridgeppf.org/etn/who-decides-cambridges-future/

FeCRA presentation See link below

https://www.fecra.org.uk/docs/Cppf_talk_wb_3.2.pdf

Recording of event including Q & A. Link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFfSaSUN0og

Water scarcity is a big issue for this region so it is important that we
are represented by locally elected representatives aware of local
environmental constraints.

‘Cambridge Water estimate non-household consumption increases by 55% by
2038 from 2019/20 ‘as the area looks to expands its biomedical activity in
particular’ - but the WRMP is clear this isn’t taking into account data
centres etc in the ‘supercharging’ growth plans.’ The post by journalist
Mark Williamson ( link below) quotes from Cambridge Water

https://x.com/markrwilliamson/status/2037973717318312273?s=20

There is no requirement for commercial entities to state how much water
they use .

*Written statement by Sec of State for Housing, Com munities and Local
Government Steve Reed on the plans for local government reorganisation *

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-03-25/hcws1455

‘This is particularly important for key government priorities on
housebuilding, like our target of building 1.5 million homes in England
this Parliament. The housing needs of local communities are best met by
councils who are closely connected to their communities and understand a
place’s local identity. This connection is crucial in ensuring that local
government can boost economic growth and design public services that
respond to local residents. Reorganisation must also respect local
identity, and the distinctive nature of the rural, urban and coastal
communities across our country. We want to see councils that are connected
to their local residents and communities; councils that mean something to
the people they serve.’

Via Friends of St Matthew's Piece

*The Greater Cambridge Development Corporation Consultation* *closes
11.59pm on 1 Apr 2026*

This is about the *creation *and* powers* of a proposed '*Urban Development
Corporation*' for *Greater Cambridge*.

· *Would this Urban Development Corporation deliver high-quality
sustainable growth? *

· *Would it meaningfully boost our infrastructure?*

· *Would it be for the benefit of existing and new residents as well as
businesses?  *

Here is the government's paper on the proposal:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/establishing-a-development-corporation-in-greater-cambridge/establishing-a-development-corporation-in-greater-cambridge

*The survey*
Here is the link to the survey seeking your views on this Development
Corporation proposal – including its objectives, boundary, powers and
approach to democratic representation:
https://consult.communities.gov.uk/cambridge-strategy-unit/greater-cambridge-development-corporation/consultation/subpage.2026-01-23.0016830486/
<https://consult.communities.gov.uk/cambridge-strategy-unit/greater-cambridge-development-corporation/consultation/subpage.2026-01-23.0016830486/>

It asks 13 *meaty* questions. Mercifully, you can pause filling in the
survey, and answer in stages:

1) What do you think about the current delivery of infrastructure and homes
in Greater Cambridge?

2) What do you think about the proposal to create a centrally-led urban
development corporation (UDC) in Greater Cambridge?

3) What matters most to you about the future of Greater Cambridge?

4) Do you have any views on the objectives of the Greater Cambridge
Development Corporation?

5) What do you think about the proposed boundary of the Greater Cambridge
Development Corporation?

6) What do you think about the phased approach to plan-making powers?

7) What do you think about the proposals to give the Development
Corporation plan-making powers?

8) What do you think about the proposals to give the Development
Corporation powers to determine planning applications?

9) Do you agree with using thresholds for the Development Corporation
taking decision-making powers? Which minimum thresholds do you think are
appropriate?

10) Do you have any other views on the proposed approach to the Development
Corporation's powers and functions?

11) What do you think about proposed local representation on the
Development Corporation Board?

12) What do you think about the board having expertise in areas such as
planning, property development, design, environment, finance, and
infrastructure delivery?

13) Do you have any views on the impacts of the above proposals for anyone
with a relevant protected characteristic?

If you don't want to answer those questions, you may instead respond to the
proposals via either:
 • *email*: GCDCconsultation at communities.gov.uk   *OR*
 • *post*: Cambridge Strategy Unit, Fry Building, 2 Marsham Street, London
SW1P 4DF

*Civic Quarter plans for the Guildhall and Corn Exchange approved at **25th
March planning **committee **Link below *

*https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/corn-exchange-revamp-advances-as-council-considers-replacement-venue
<https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/corn-exchange-revamp-advances-as-council-considers-replacement-venue>*

 *But decision about Market Square element of the City Centre Revamp
deferred as having “too many loose ends” and “rushed”*

*A multi-million pound plan to redesign an historic market has "too many
loose ends" and appears "a bit rushed", councillors said, link
below https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98klg59n08o
<https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98klg59n08o>*

*Recording of planning meeting discussion. Link below *

https://www.youtube.com/@camcitco/streams

Market supporters who have previously expressed concern about the absence
of any information regarding the decant of the market traders in the
planning application, say that if there is no information regarding the
traders decant, it means that there is nothing to say that the Council has
any intention of re-instating the market once they have a main application
that says that they can clear it. And nothing to say that they have to
bring in the separate application for the decant.

How can these small businesses plan ahead if there is no information about
their relocation? Note “vital role of local markets” across Greater
Cambridge. see link below

https://cambridge.gov.uk/news/2026/03/27/new-study-unveils-the-vital-role-of-local-markets-across-greater-cambridge

Best wishes,

Wendy

Wendy Blythe
Chair, FeCRA

www.fecra.org.uk
www.facebook.com/CambridgeRAs
www.twitter.com/fecra2
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