Cambridge to experience greater housing growth
A labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich has expressed interest in working with Cambridge after the city was found to be ‘constrained by the lack of housing’.
When the Conservatives were still in power, they created a 38-page document setting out plans to enhance the cities growth, but the local authority were never consulted. However, now we have a new government, Matthew Pennycook, a Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich and minister for housing are wanted to form relationships with councils in Cambridge.
Previously, the document for Cambridge, titled ‘Case for Cambridge’, outlined plans to build up to 150,000 new homes in the city’s area, however these were met with opposition from local councils and the Environment Agency who took issue with the water supply.
In response to this the government claimed they would address the issue with a water credits system, which would allow developers to pay ‘credits’ to offset the water used by new residents.
Despite the Environment Agency still having concerns, some developments have been given the greenlight including the regeneration of Bourn Airfield.
Although, Pennycook has claimed that the target to produce over 100,000 homes was too ambitious, remarking the Labour government wouldn’t publish a figure on the number of homes to be built for the foreseeable.
Moreover, Pennycook also said the government would ‘reassess and re-engage with local leaders and communities in a discussion about how we do growth well in Cambridge’.
The news has come following a visit Pennycook took to Stevenage, Hertfordshire where he unveiled plans to create a New Towns Taskforce which will be led by Sir Michael Lyons. He said the government want to deliver 45,000 properties in the East of England as well as the number of homes councils have already been asked to provide.
Image: Markus Leo
