Michael Gove, the Secretary for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, is spearheading a scheme to turn Cambridge into Britain's equivalent of Silicon Valley. The ambitious proposal includes
the possibility of billions of pounds' worth of investment in a new tech center and the construction of 250,000 new homes.
Developed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUHC), the plan aims to address England's housing crisis while boosting the country's competitiveness in the fields of science and technology. Referred to as 'Cambridge 2040', it aligns with the existing growth plans for the corridor connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, and Cambridge.
Although still in the preliminary stage, sources indicate that the scheme would significantly increase the city's population, currently at 150,000 residents. To accommodate the growth, substantial land areas would be designated for the construction of new business parks, laboratories, and science centers.
Gove's department envisions the development of between 200,000 and 250,000 new homes, surpassing the current plans proposed by local councils. The construction will prioritize integrating the new properties with the local architectural style and align with the government's 'beautiful buildings' strategy. The expansion may also necessitate the introduction of new railway lines, tram networks, and bus services to facilitate transportation.
The objective is to position Cambridge as the Silicon Valley of Europe, emulating the renowned global technology hub. Gove, alongside Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aims to foster a digital technology hub that will support and sustain Britain's growth in this sector.
Gove plans to present this scheme as evidence of the government's housing and planning policies ahead of the next General Election. He is expected to make a significant speech on housing policy in the coming weeks, following delays caused by recent by-elections.
Additionally, Gove and the Prime Minister are considering removing environmental restrictions outlined in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, which have been criticized for impeding the construction of up to 120,000 new homes. The government is also exploring investment opportunities for the regeneration of 20 towns and cities across England, focusing on repurposing brownfield sites.
To address the capacity and capability challenges faced by local authorities in managing large planning applications, the government is contemplating the creation of a national planning task force. This specialized team, described as a 'hit squad' of planning officials, would support councils lacking the resources to handle complex planning processes effectively.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously supported top-down housing targets, but these were later abandoned by Tory MPs. The conflicting policies have caused confusion among councils and housebuilders. The official commitment of the Conservative Party is to construct 300,000 homes annually by the mid-2020s, with the closest achievement being 242,000 homes built in the year before the pandemic.
Recognizing the significance of affordable housing in attracting young voters, Gove has reportedly chosen Cambridge as a location where tens of thousands of homes could be rapidly developed.
A government spokesperson stated, "We understand that new housing developments are only welcomed when they are beautiful and are accompanied by new healthcare facilities, schools, and transportation links. Our reforms prioritize democracy, environmental enhancement, and the creation of vibrant neighborhoods." Photo by JustSomePics, Wikimedia commons.