The Greater Cambridge Development Corporation has today (10 November) published a Statement of Intent, a foundational document, signed by Board members that sets out the Corporation's mission, purpose and approach to delivering sustainable, inclusive growth across Greater Cambridge.
The publication marks an important milestone for the recently established Corporation and reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that Greater Cambridge continues to thrive as Europe’s leading centre of innovation, while delivering a better quality of life for current and future generations.
The creation of the Development Corporation represents a 25-year commitment from Government to a new national, regional and local partnership. The Board brings together the Mayor, local authority leaders from Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire and the County Councils and senior representatives from industry, innovation and health sectors to help align investment and oversee the delivery of strategic infrastructure, housing and environmental enhancements.
The Corporation has been established to provide dedicated expertise and focused delivery in infrastructure, planning complex large scale strategic developments, placemaking and long-term financial stewardship.
Peter Freeman, Chair said, “we are at the outset of a transformational journey, one that will harness our collective efforts to make Greater Cambridge an even better place to live, with greater opportunity and stronger economic prosperity. Our mission is clear: to help Greater Cambridge thrive as Europe's leading innovation city, ensuring that growth delivers a better quality of life and makes it the best place to live, work and innovate."
“Our statement of Intent sets out the first steps we will take towards delivering that mission”.
Mayor Paul Bristow said, “Greater Cambridge’s continued success matters to the whole of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and that starts with investing in the infrastructure that growth needs: better transport, enough water and more homes.
“So I’m pleased that this statement of intent commits the Corporation to clear pathways for tackling those deficits which have held us back for too long. My ambition in our region’s Local Growth Plan is to triple the size of our economy by 2050, and working with the Corporation and local partners will help us get there.
“The real test of success will not just be a stronger economy, but whether growth opens up new opportunities and means better lives for people across our communities”.
The Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Bridget Smith, said: "Greater Cambridge's success brings huge opportunities, but the decisions we take now will shape our communities for decades to come. That's why it's so important local people are genuinely involved in the conversation, and growth is supported by things residents need - from transport and water to community facilities and green spaces.
"We must also make sure nature is part of the solution. Done well, growth can strengthen our economy, support thriving communities and leave the environment in a better state for future generations".
Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said “the Development Corporation is a clear statement of the government’s commitment to Greater Cambridge, and the need to deliver strategic infrastructure and sustainable growth while protecting the natural environment and enhancing biodiversity. The expertise and focus that the Development Corporation brings will be key to enabling us to build more council homes too, and improve people’s quality of life across the region.
“With this statement of intent we are demonstrating our commitment to transparency in how we work. The Development Corporation can only succeed in its mission to deliver sustainable, inclusive growth if is supported by and accountable to everyone who lives, works and invests in Greater Cambridge, and openness is vital to securing that support”.
Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha said, "this Statement is an important milestone for the new Cambridge Development Corporation, and I hope it will reassure many who are worried by the scale of growth in our area. Publishing our shared vision for sustainable growth in and around Cambridge will give clarity in what we are trying to achieve."
The Corporation will begin a major programme of engagement with local councillors, residents, businesses and other stakeholders to shape a long-term vision for Greater Cambridge through to 2060 and beyond, as well as setting out a new Quality Placemaking Framework which will embed quality in the Corporation’s culture, governance and ways of working. This will underpin its work programme for the next 25 years, helping to align priorities, investment and delivery. Through this engagement, residents and stakeholders will help shape priorities for growth, define what success should look like and inform the strategic interventions the Development Corporation will help coordinate and deliver to support Greater Cambridge's future economic prosperity.
The Statement of Intent establishes a set of strategic commitments. The Development Corporation has pledged that its work will be:
The Statement of Intent can be read here: Statement of Intent - November 2026
The publication marks an important milestone for the recently established Corporation and reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that Greater Cambridge continues to thrive as Europe’s leading centre of innovation, while delivering a better quality of life for current and future generations.
The creation of the Development Corporation represents a 25-year commitment from Government to a new national, regional and local partnership. The Board brings together the Mayor, local authority leaders from Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire and the County Councils and senior representatives from industry, innovation and health sectors to help align investment and oversee the delivery of strategic infrastructure, housing and environmental enhancements.
The Corporation has been established to provide dedicated expertise and focused delivery in infrastructure, planning complex large scale strategic developments, placemaking and long-term financial stewardship.
Peter Freeman, Chair said, “we are at the outset of a transformational journey, one that will harness our collective efforts to make Greater Cambridge an even better place to live, with greater opportunity and stronger economic prosperity. Our mission is clear: to help Greater Cambridge thrive as Europe's leading innovation city, ensuring that growth delivers a better quality of life and makes it the best place to live, work and innovate."
“Our statement of Intent sets out the first steps we will take towards delivering that mission”.
Mayor Paul Bristow said, “Greater Cambridge’s continued success matters to the whole of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and that starts with investing in the infrastructure that growth needs: better transport, enough water and more homes.
“So I’m pleased that this statement of intent commits the Corporation to clear pathways for tackling those deficits which have held us back for too long. My ambition in our region’s Local Growth Plan is to triple the size of our economy by 2050, and working with the Corporation and local partners will help us get there.
“The real test of success will not just be a stronger economy, but whether growth opens up new opportunities and means better lives for people across our communities”.
The Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Bridget Smith, said: "Greater Cambridge's success brings huge opportunities, but the decisions we take now will shape our communities for decades to come. That's why it's so important local people are genuinely involved in the conversation, and growth is supported by things residents need - from transport and water to community facilities and green spaces.
"We must also make sure nature is part of the solution. Done well, growth can strengthen our economy, support thriving communities and leave the environment in a better state for future generations".
Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said “the Development Corporation is a clear statement of the government’s commitment to Greater Cambridge, and the need to deliver strategic infrastructure and sustainable growth while protecting the natural environment and enhancing biodiversity. The expertise and focus that the Development Corporation brings will be key to enabling us to build more council homes too, and improve people’s quality of life across the region.
“With this statement of intent we are demonstrating our commitment to transparency in how we work. The Development Corporation can only succeed in its mission to deliver sustainable, inclusive growth if is supported by and accountable to everyone who lives, works and invests in Greater Cambridge, and openness is vital to securing that support”.
Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha said, "this Statement is an important milestone for the new Cambridge Development Corporation, and I hope it will reassure many who are worried by the scale of growth in our area. Publishing our shared vision for sustainable growth in and around Cambridge will give clarity in what we are trying to achieve."
The Corporation will begin a major programme of engagement with local councillors, residents, businesses and other stakeholders to shape a long-term vision for Greater Cambridge through to 2060 and beyond, as well as setting out a new Quality Placemaking Framework which will embed quality in the Corporation’s culture, governance and ways of working. This will underpin its work programme for the next 25 years, helping to align priorities, investment and delivery. Through this engagement, residents and stakeholders will help shape priorities for growth, define what success should look like and inform the strategic interventions the Development Corporation will help coordinate and deliver to support Greater Cambridge's future economic prosperity.
The Statement of Intent establishes a set of strategic commitments. The Development Corporation has pledged that its work will be:
- Transformational in ambition, quality and impact, with decisions informed by evidence and made transparently.
- Infrastructure-led, with clear pathways established within its first years of operation to address key infrastructure challenges.
- Inclusive, helping to tackle inequality and expand opportunity for local people.
- Sustainable, climate-resilient and nature-positive, supporting landscape scale environmental enhancements, nature recovery and adaptation to climate change.
- Innovative, using public investment to unlock significant private sector funding and accelerate delivery.
- Transparent, publicly accountable and collaborative, working openly with communities and partners.
The Statement of Intent can be read here: Statement of Intent - November 2026