Yahoo News Government pledges to 'remove barriers' to Cambridge housebuilding
The government has pledged to remove barriers to house building in Cambridge. In a statement by Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook on Tuesday (August 27), the city was described at playing a "vital role" in the government’s efforts to grow the economy.
Mr Pennycook described Cambridge's economic growth as a "phenomenal success". He continued: "Greater Cambridge has a vital role to play in this government’s mission to kickstart economic growth.
"We are determined to maximise the potential contribution it could make to the UK economy by helping to remove barriers to the delivery of vital housing, infrastructure, and laboratory space. Many crucial decisions remain to be made about the precise form that ambitious and high-quality sustainable growth in the area takes.
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"I am determined that we take a collaborative approach to them, ensuring that the insight and invaluable knowledge of local leaders fully informs the government’s thinking.
"That is why today I am making clear that the government intends to reset the crucial relationship with local partners to ensure we are delivering new housing and infrastructure in a way that benefits the city and its surrounding areas and seeking to address the concerns of communities who may be anxious about what the future might hold."
The Housing Minister also pointed to the fact that Cambridge is also one of the most unequal places in the UK, suggesting this is "a sign that the benefits of its economic success have not been shared by all".
A government press release issued on Tuesday said the government is "taking action" to support areas where housing needs are greatest, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets for councils.
Last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised to accelerate house building in the new town of Northstowe, north of Cambridge. When CambridgeshireLive spoke to Northstowe locals, many welcomed the government-level attention but remained disappointed at how development had progressed so far.
