Comment from Cambridge Labour:

Despite the announcements made today by the Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Cambridge Labour is still unclear about the government’s plan for proposed development of Cambridge and the surrounding region. We call on Michael Gove to enter into a serious and open conversation with the City Council, the directly elected Labour Mayor Dr Nik Johnson and other local government bodies.

The government must recognise the serious issues which we have consistently raised as we develop our emerging Local Plan, most notably the water crisis, lack of transport infrastructure, and a continuing housing shortage. We urgently need the government to commit to all necessary measures to resolve this. This includes measures to reduce domestic, industrial and agricultural abstraction of water use and investment to clean our rivers and chalk streams.

We also face a nationwide housing crisis. Across the country there are more than 1 million families waiting for social housing in England, exacerbated by the government most recently scrapping mandatory local housing targets in December. In the face of this, our Labour-led council is delivering an ambitious council house building programme, with over 500 council homes delivered in the past five years. If the government is serious about building good quality, affordable homes for local people, council housing must be an essential part of this vision.

While we await further details, in any future conversations with the government we want to reassure residents we will be raising these concerns around water sustainability, local housing need and the importance of democracy in the development process. Cambridge Labour has a vision for a sustainable and beautiful city, with enhanced green spaces, and good quality housing. While it’s important that we unlock business potential, we need to ensure this benefits all residents in our fantastic city.

Background info: https://www.cambridgelabour.org.uk/news/2023/07/11/comment-on-michael-goves-cambridge-silicon-valley-announcement/

For further information please contact press@cambridgelabour.org.uk