The Case for Cambridge outlines the government's vision and plans for the growth and development of Greater Cambridge, emphasising its potential as a leading hub for science and innovation. This includes the delivery of 150,000 homes in the region by 2040.
In January 2025, the Chancellor announced her support for developing new and expanded communities in the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor (Oxford to Cambridge Arc) to expand the UK economy. It is estimated that the Corridor could boost the region's economic contribution by up to £78 billion. A strategic approach is necessary to plan for sustainable growth, which involves collaboration between local and national partners to overcome existing constraints and achieve these growth objectives.
Community engagement is crucial for the success of the Cambridge Growth Agenda. When actively involved, communities are more likely to support and contribute to the growth plans. Given the important role we play in delivering the government’s growth agenda, it is considered that an Inclusive Community Engagement in Planning Group (ICEPG) should be established to help bring communities together and achieve sustainable growth in the region.
Key tasks
- develop a shared understanding: establish a common understanding of community engagement in planning and the desired outcomes across all partners
- identify engagement tools: explore and identify tools that will improve community engagement outcomes in the plan-making and delivery processes to help promote sustainable growth
- capacity building: build the capacity of colleagues, community groups, and partners concerning community engagement
- share best practices: learn and share good community engagement practices in planning
- coordinate activities: share information on other departments' planned community engagement activities and initiatives
- gather feedback: engage with and gain feedback from representatives of various community groups, agents, and individuals regarding the growth agenda.
Members
Membership will include representatives from our following teams:
- Built and Natural Environment
- Development Management
- Strategic Sites
- Planning Policy
- S106
- Enforcement
- Business Support
Representatives of other organisations will be invited to attend meetings or liaise with as necessary.
The ICEPG is chaired by our Deputy Director of Planning. The role of the chair is to provide leadership to the group’s work.
The Chair is supported by a Project Lead, our Business Development Manager. The Project Lead is responsible for deputising for the Chair, coordinating meetings and activities and ensuring that progress from the ICEPG is reported to the Chair.
ICEPG Members will participate in the meetings and are expected to prepare beforehand by reading any papers and action points to ensure effective outcomes for this group. Members will champion ICEPG internally and externally to raise our work profile.