Planning for the city's future

This means planning now for substantial new development over the coming decades. This development must preserve the best aspects of the city and surrounding landscape, and must sustain the environmental, social and economic fabric. It must be built to the highest standards of urban design, architectural and environmental quality and must be accompanied by a first-class transport infrastructure. It must produce vibrant, socially mixed, safe, convenient and enjoyable places to live.

What we've done so far

• played a key role in the County Council's Structure Plan review process, championing the concentration of development in urban extensions so that people can live close to their work and leisure activities. These ideas are now fundamental to the proposals set out in the draft Plan
• helped draft the implementation arrangements for the future development of the sub-region, to ensure that a proper infrastructure is provided, especially in transport and affordable housing
• started the process for the city's review of its Local Plan, including the first round of public consultation. We are determined that the new Plan will be ground breaking in its approach, setting out clear principles and providing a flexible framework to ensure a great future for the city
• taken a more pro-active and innovative approach to current major developments in the city, involving more public consultation and participation and securing maximum benefit to the community through the process of developer contributions
• played a central role in formulating a comprehensive transport strategy for the future of the city and sub-region
• continued to seek to influence national, regional and sub-regional policy affecting Cambridge, in particular to ensure that the government contributes adequate funding to meet the enormous infrastructure needs of the Cambridge sub-region
• used the planning system to ensure that new developments contribute to the supply of affordable and key worker housing and other community facilities

Assisted by additional investment provided in the budget, in 2003/4 we will

• continue to influence strategic planning policy affecting the city's long term future
• deposit the first draft of the new Local Plan which will emphasise the need for sustainable development in providing a framework for the major development challenges facing the city
• work with the community in developing master plans for the major development locations such as Trumpington, Addenbrooke's, Chesterton sidings and, when appropriate, at the Cambridge airport site
• continue to drive progress for major redevelopment in the railway station area
• support the work of the Shape Cambridge built environment centre to encourage informed debate about architecture and creating good places to live and work
• support planning staff and councillors in increasing their urban design skills
• continue our drive to see better standards in urban design and architecture in the city