Thousands of comments and years of public consultation have helped shape the proposed new Greater Cambridge Local Plan, with councillors now set to consider its submission to Government for examination.
The Plan sets out a vision for how to manage growth in Greater Cambridge to 2045, helping to guide decisions on homes, jobs, infrastructure and the environment. A major focus of the Plan is ensuring growth is sustainable, with key policies designed to tackle climate change, increase biodiversity, improve water efficiency, support sustainable travel, protect and enhance green spaces, and create healthy, thriving communities.
The proposed new Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which has been developed over more than six years, is due to be discussed at a meeting of cabinet members from Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District councils on Tuesday 17 November.
Since work on the Local Plan began, there have been several stages of public consultation and engagement – both online and through in-person events and exhibitions - giving residents and organisations multiple opportunities to help shape proposals for the future of Greater Cambridge.
In total, the councils have received over 22,000 comments across the four stages of consultation on the plan. All comments received have been reviewed and have helped inform the version now being considered by councillors.
Most recently, the proposed submission version of the Plan was consulted on during August and September 2026, generating more than 2,800 comments from almost 800 people and organisations.
Following the cabinet meeting, the proposed Local Plan will be considered by Cambridge City Council on Thursday 26 November and South Cambridgeshire District Council on Tuesday 8 December. Councillors at both Full Council meetings will decide whether the Plan should be submitted to Government for independent examination.
If approved for submission, the Plan will be examined by an independent Planning Inspector. They will consider whether it meets legal requirements and is sound before it can be formally adopted by the councils. The councils anticipate that the Government’s examination will start in the first half of 2027.
South Cambridgeshire District Council's Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Henry Batchelor, said: “This is a significant milestone in a process that has involved years of work and huge engagement with local communities. Thousands of comments have helped shape the proposed Plan, reflecting just how much people care about the future of Greater Cambridge. I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their views and help strengthen the document. The proposed Local Plan aims to support the homes, jobs and infrastructure that communities need, while also setting high expectations for environmental protection, biodiversity and climate action. Councillors now have the opportunity to consider whether it is ready to move forward to independent examination."
Leader of Cambridge City Council and Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, Cllr Katie Thornburrow, said: "The decisions we make through the Local Plan will help shape Greater Cambridge for many years to come, so it's important that as many people as possible have had the chance to contribute. I'm pleased that so many residents, businesses and organisations have got involved with the process over recent years and helped refine the proposed Plan. The Plan sets out an ambitious vision for managing the economic growth we expect to see in Greater Cambridge in a sustainable way, helping to ensure Greater Cambridge continues to thrive while protecting the environment and the qualities that make our area such a special place to live, work and study."
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