Renewed calls for “pause and rethink” on growth following shock Government proposal
Green activists have branded Government plans to turn Cambridge into the Silicon Valley Of Europe as “arrogant”.
The Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Green Party is horrified that Levelling Up Minister Michael Gove unveiled proposals to build 250,000 new homes in the region without any consultation.
And local Greens have repeated their call for a “pause and rethink” on the policy of accelerated growth already contained in the draft Local Plan.
Sarah Nicmanis, the Green Party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Cambridge, said: “We applaud Cambridge City Council for responding immediately to the report and pointing out that it has not been consulted on these ideas and that, as the planning authority, it would expect to be fully informed about and engaged with any deliberations.
“We all need to work together to halt this top-down and arrogant concept.”
It is ironic that the proposals by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have been drawn up for a region that, although very unequal in many ways, is also home to some of the wealthiest companies and individuals in the country.
The government plans involve identifying land to build new business parks, laboratories and science hubs, as well as homes.
The South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge Green Party hopes and expects that the authorities and people with the necessary powers will tackle this new threat which has already caused great anxiety to many local people.
Oli Fisher, the Green Party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for South Cambridgeshire, said: “It seems extraordinary that such a concept has been launched at government level (and even given a name – Cambridge 2040) amidst high national and regional concern about water shortages, transport congestion, and loss of green belt.
“Building over the green belt, which is the only way this could be achieved, goes directly against all pledges to preserve environment and biodiversity and to meet climate targets.”