Budget gives £10m towards Cambridge housing plan

The previous Conservative government announced plans for 150,000 new homes for Cambridge by 2040

The Labour government has confirmed £10m will be provided to help plan for new homes in Cambridge.

The cash was announced during Wednesday's Budget and will be spent on developing a plan for housing, transport, water and other infrastructure. It will be delivered by the Cambridge Growth Company.

In a written statement on Thursday, housing minister Matthew Pennycook said there were "significant barriers" to growth and it was "essential" the government helped to remove them.

A Liberal Democrat council leader in the region said growth must "meet the needs of our communities".

Successive governments have focused on Cambridge and the surrounding area for significant housebuilding

It was in March that the "Case for Cambridge" report was published as part of the Conservative Budget. It followed an announcement the previous year that about 150,000 homes would be built in and around the city by 2040.

After the summer's general election, Labour confirmed it was "ambitious for Cambridge" and would work with local authorities to plan sustainable growth.

The ministerial statement also confirmed Peter Freeman, who chairs Homes England, would head up the Cambridge Growth Company, which has been created to deliver the plans. The organisation will receive the £10m.

Previously there has been concerns about water supply problems in the area, leading to the Environment Agency objecting to a number of planning applications.

The Case for Cambridge report suggested a new reservoir and a "water credit" system would help.

'We've got to tackle this'

Cambridge Labour MP Daniel Zeichner said many young people in his constituency could barely afford to rent

Wednesday's announcement was welcomed by the city's Labour MP, Daniel Zeichner.

He told the BBC if "you get the transport infrastructure in place, you can then get the homes in place".

"I find for my constituents that is the biggest problem young people are facing - they can barely afford to rent. We've got to tackle this," he said.

The Combined Authority mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Labour's Nik Johnson, added: "This Budget sets a clear intent to unlock growth in our region – critical to sustaining economic success and delivering good jobs and greater prosperity for all our communities.

"This, alongside the reaffirmed government commitment to working with regional mayors, gives us a strong foundation to work with the Cambridge Growth Company leading the plan, as well as local partners, on a better future for all."

'Proof in the pudding'

Bridget Smith said community needs must be met

Meanwhile, the leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Liberal Democrat Bridget Smith, said the government was "making the right noises when it comes to working with local leaders and communities".

However, she said the "proof will be in the pudding".

She said it was important growth must "meet the needs of our communities" and deliver hospitals and GPs.

She added the government needed to "play its part in solving our water scarcity and congestion problems".