Update 4th June 2026
Dear All,
Update 4th June 2026
Lots to report. There is more so there will be a follow-up newsletter soon with other issues.
Green Light for Cambridge Development Corporation
A new development corporation will cover the city of Cambridge as well as the surrounding South Cambridgeshire towns and villages – links below
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y7nl070y9o
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/greater-cambridge-gets-regeneration-body-to-accelerate-growth
Statement by Cambridge Growth Company
https://thecgc.org.uk/index.php?timelineid=65
see also website:
https://thecgc.org.uk/index.php?contentid=149
UK Government and Hill Group buy Cambridge Airport Site
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2pm6g0g0y
Govt press release:
Reactions
Reeves’s plan for 10,000 homes in Cambridge raises water shortage fears:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/06/03/reeves-plan-10000-homes-cambridge-raises-water-shortage/
Former independent Cambridge City Councillor Sam Davies on the govt statement about actions taken to ensure adequate water supply and wastewater capacity.
‘Inaccurate. Govt has so far forced another 9k homes & 500000 sqmof commercial space on a severely water constrained region without a single defiinitve improvement to water security. They have literally just told Anglian Water they cab’t object to planning applications any more’
Local journalist Mark Williamson added:
‘The 9k homes mentioned by Rachel Reeves below were greenlit on the promise of a Cambridge Water Credits scheme that more than two years on is still being devised, and may never work as proposed. In any case, it and the Fen reservoir are only to cover growth in the local plan.’
Link for the tweets:
https://x.com/markrwilliamson/status/2062444472156205235?s=20
Cambridgeshire County Council- Leader Cllr Lucy Nethsingha:
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/reaction-to-the-greater-cambridge-development-corporation
Robert Pollack, CEO of Cambridge City Council, writing in in LGC about the govt development corporation: ‘Residents deserve explanation for government’s plans to create an’unprecedented’ development corporation. If the government wants to invest to unlock barriers to growth, that is verywelcome. But if the price is a local democratic deficit, the public deserve a clearer explanation. Link for article:
Robert Pollock: An infrastructure deficit for a democratic deficit
South Cambs DC response:
Council warns that government’s urban development corporation risks sidelining local communities
SCDC tweeted ‘We’ve raised serious concerns about the government’s plans for a Greater Cambridge Urban development corporation. Although details remain unclear, last night’s government decision is expected to remove many developments- currently shaped through local plans and community engagement – from local decision-making, creating the largest development corporation of its type. Our councillors are arguing the shift from locally elected authorities to a central government body is wholly unnecessary”
Cllr Katie Thornburrow the new leader of Cambridge City Council:
‘The council welcomes the commitment to additional investment from the government to tackle key infrastructure challenges including water, sewage and transport, but we believe it must be done in ways that respect the democratic process. We are concerned that the proposed Development Corporation for Greater Cambridge would have exceptional planning powers and reduce the ability of local people to shape their future whilst protecting local nature and the character of Cambridge which makes it an attractive place to live and work.’
Cambridge Greens condemned the government’s undemocratic power grab.
Cambridge Greens leader Cllr. Naomi Bennett:
‘Another glaring omission is the absence of approving quotes from any local politicians other than the Tory mayor, Paul Bristow. You can’t solve our water crisis just by telling Anglian Water to shut up and stop objecting to planning applications.
The gov.uk press release is all puff and no substance. But you can read between the lines. The results of the public consultation, believed to be sharplv negative, are not quoted at all. Time for a FOI request? Link below for Cllr Bennett tweet and Greens statement
https://x.com/murielschild/status/2062040654750843018?s=43
Cllr Richard Williams (District Councillor for Whittlesford, Thriplow, Heathfield and Newton, South Cambs DC.Tory) wrote a long thread on X in which he commented about the development corporation and Cambridge University. ‘A few initial thoughts on the Cambridge Development Corporation. 1. Press Releases promising infrastructure-first development are easy and cheap. 2. Delivery is difficult and expensive.
https://x.com/richwilliams771/status/2062188852802965688?s=20
However, Cambridge’s MP Daniel Zeichner and Cambridge University Vice Chancellor Deborah Prentice both welcomed the government’s initiative.
Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner:
Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge:
“This is a bold and welcome action from Government. This success is built on the strength of the whole Cambridge community, our hospitals, universities. businesses, local authorities, schools working in partnership.”
The LinkedIn post received a lot of comments.
Update on Cambridge Vet School Campaign ( re Update 18th Dec 2025)
‘Attack on tenure’ See also Cambridge Vet School report by the group of academics and professional support staff and UK universities known as “The 21percent group “
FeCRA AGM 8th June 6pm
(Re AGM notice. Update 13th May )
A reminder that our AGM is next Monday 8th June at 6pm. We plan to hold a bigger event later in the year.
All FeCRA members are welcome to attend. Please can you contact the FeCRA Secretary secretary@fecra.org.uk ASAP if you are planning to do so for details as we need to know how many to cater for. It will be a small formal AGM this year in a private venue, with the usual format of Chair and Treasurers Reports and the minutes of last year’s AGM. Meeting papers for the AGM are on the website.
https://www.fecra.org.uk/fecra-minutes/
We are always looking for new committee members. Please get in touch if you are interested in joining us. We are a friendly informal committee and via our networks and, above all, your input, we have a very wide reach. We are there for mutual support and a sharing of information across the city.
Since our last AGM at the end of April 2025, we have organised and hosted a talk by Peter Freeman, the Chair of the Cambridge Growth Company, at Great St Mary’s. The event which was live streamed and recorded, was very well attended (over 400 registered). We were also on the panel, along with the Leader of South Cambs DC, and reps from MHCLG and the Cambridge Growth Company, at Cambridge Past Present and Future’s recent event: “Who Will Decide the Future of Cambridge. John Latham, FeCRA Treasurer also represented the Federation on the panel on Lewis Herbert’s radio programme Cambridge Challenges programme : “Can Cambridge deliver sustainable growth” along with Peter Freeman and Cllr Tumi Hawkins South Cambs DC .
The opportunities for FeCRA to share Cambridge residents’ concerns with national media have been substantial over the last year. We are regularly approached for a comment. So please continue to keep us posted about issues that concern you.
Best wishes,
Wendy
Wendy Blythe
Chair, FeCRA
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