Cambridge Liberal Democrats say no to Michael Gove
Cambridge Liberal Democrats have spoken out against Michael Gove’s plans to set up a development corporation for Cambridge.
The plans, confirmed by the Chancellor in today’s budget, could see planning powers taken out of local hands and into a government-appointed development corporation, enabling local people to be overridden and adding another layer to Cambridge’s already complicated web of local government.
The Liberal Democrats instead want the government to spend their time and money on delivering the vital water infrastructure needed to deliver the existing local plan, let alone future local plans for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.
Cambridge Liberal Democrats have also been calling for a simpler, more democratic Cambridge, with a single unitary council for the city and surrounding area.
Cheney Payne, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Cambridge said, “New homes are badly needed in Cambridge, to tackle the housing crisis and to meet demand driven by our innovative local economy.”
“However, there is nothing about that need for housing that means we need a development corporation, other than an excuse to take more power for Whitehall.”
“When the Lib Dems ran Cambridge City Council, we successfully planned new communities such as in Trumpington, with local people involved and without the need for an undemocratic development corporation.”
“The government should fund the infrastructure that will be needed for new housing, most critically for water, and let planning be carried out through locally accountable representatives.”
“Michael Gove is just adding another layer of complication to Cambridge’s already tangled mess of local government.”
“We have launched a petition opposing Michael Gove’s development corporation plan and calling on the government to fund the serious local infrastructure gap, enabling representatives of local people to shape future sustainable growth for Cambridge, as they have proved they can."
Say No to Gove
We call on the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to drop plans to impose a development corporation on Cambridge; instead to fund the serious local infrastructure gap, enabling representatives of local people to shape future sustainable growth in the area