Our eastern region professionals are helping landowners realise the development potential of their land following multiple ‘call for sites’ exercises by the Greater Cambridge Authorities (Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Council) in relation to an emerging joint development plan.

An initial publication earlier this month of all sites promoted has highlighted, perhaps inevitably, that a huge number of land bids have been made. The Councils indicate that they are looking for land for between an additional 5,000-30,000 dwelling plots. Cumulatively, the promotions equate to around 220,000 dwelling plots. A key question is just how much additional growth the authorities might plan for and to where this growth will be directed.

Clarity on the matter should be forthcoming in future months. Formal public consultation on the preferred options for the joint development plan is expected in summer or autumn 2021. Later this autumn we may see publication of initial findings of key evidence, including scenarios for the jobs and homes the Councils will plan for, and for strategic spatial options.