Water supply in Greater Cambridge area is an issue that continues to cause concern and hit headlines. It is an issue that the Government seems to be ignoring given announcement of £615m Life Sciences Package. The announcement included statements on making changes to planning rules to get more lab space built. In light of this the leaders of the Combined Authority, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council wrote to ministers to highlight yet again this important issue.
Life Science Package announcement
The Chancellor of Exchequer Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt in his announcement on 25th May 2023, promises a £615m Life Sciences Growth package to boost the UK economy. As I wrote previously, the Government identifies that the Life Sciences sector in the Cambridge Oxford corridor is world leading. Furthermore that it employs over 280,000 people, makes £94 billion for the UK each year and produced the world’s first covid vaccine. The full list of policies is in the Government announcement here. The labs need water to operate, but no mention of it in the statement.
Sustainable Economic Growth needs Water Supply
It is one thing for Government to announce its good intentions to grow the UK economy, the other is whether it can be done sustainably. The delivery of this growth is through the Planning system, so it is no surprise that the Hunt announcement made mention of “planning changes”.
“The Chancellor’s £650 million package also lays out changes to planning rules to free-up lab space and updates a route for East West Rail (EWR), the new railway line, to improve connections between UK science powerhouses Oxford and Cambridge, bringing more investment to the region.“
Transport Links
The two key locations for Life Sciences is Cambridge and Oxford. The Government has for years been intending to upgrade transport links between the two cities. First was the Oxford to Cambridge Motorway which subsequently got cancelled. However the Black Cat to Caxton Gibbett upgrade is going ahead.
The second option is the opening of the former “University railway line”. The East West Rail project is the delivery mechanism for this option. It is being done in stages, with majority of it along existing railway lines. However the last stage from Bedford to Cambridge is entirely new as the old line is no longer available.
This is from the announcement:
“The government has also signalled its ongoing commitment to the transformational new East West Rail line between Oxford and Cambridge. This region is a globally renowned hub of science, research and innovation, and the railway will support job creation and growth at towns and cities along the route. Today it announced its preferred route alignment for the third section of the railway between Bedford and Cambridge, including a direct link to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, marking a significant step towards delivering the scheme.“
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
“The cities of Oxford and Cambridge are renowned across the globe for their academic excellence – East West Rail will be vital in allowing them to thrive for generations to come and help to grow the economy.“
“With the potential to unlock £103 billion of growth through new homes, businesses and job opportunities, this crucial line will also serve as a catalyst for development in one of Europe’s most vibrant local economies while making travel quicker, cheaper and easier across the region.”
Planning Changes
It is important to note the reference to “new homes, businesses and job opportunities”, all of which require appropriate water supply. Yet again no mention of any help with the water challenge that Greater Cambridge is experiencing.
Jeremy Hunt also committed to increasing lab space through pledging to reform planning rules to help scientists. Proposals including local authorities taking greater account of R&D needs in their planning decisions. All well and good if the right infrastructure is in place, and transport is one of those, as well as utilities such as water supply.
Further Information Section of the announcement includes these statements:
The government will consult on adding requirements to the National Planning Policy Framework to say that decision makers should pay particular regard to R&D needs, including the need for additional laboratory space, and proactively engage with potential applicants.
We are also updating the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) to help local authorities take fuller account of the commercial land needs of businesses and better plan for inward and high value investment. We will work with stakeholders to further understand the changes needed.
The government is making investment into the relevant sites more attractive by working with local planning authorities to encourage proactive planning tools, such as Local Development Orders and Development Corporations, to bring forward development.
Water Supply Challenge
It is quite obvious to us locally that this proposed growth of the Life Sciences can only be successful if the existing challenge with water supply is overcome. As nothing was mentioned in the chancellors announcement, the local planning authorities decided to write a letter to Ministers. The letter states six (6) key actions required from government. It also asks for a meeting with ministers to discuss this situation and assist with delivering solutions.
Conclusion
As far as I know, we are still waiting for Government to agree to meet with the leaders of the councils and the Mayor of the Combined Authority.