Today I am updating the House on the government’s decision to establish a centrally‑led development corporation, to be known as the “Greater Cambridge Development Corporation”, to promote ambitious, high quality, sustainable growth and unlock the full potential of Greater Cambridge, for the benefit of its communities and the country as a whole.

Between 4 February to 1 April 2026, the government sought views through a public consultation on the Development Corporation’s proposed objectives, governance, geographical boundary and powers. The consultation received over 700 responses, including from residents, local government, businesses and academia. I am grateful to all those who took the time to engage and provide thoughtful and constructive feedback.

Greater Cambridge faces a set of deeply interconnected challenges, particularly in relation to infrastructure and housing provision, with which the majority of consultation respondents agreed. Complex governance arrangements, fragmented decision-making and long‑term funding uncertainty have made it difficult to plan, finance, and deliver infrastructure to support growth at the scale and pace required.

Sustained economic growth is the only route to improving the prosperity of our country and the living standards of working people. That is why it is this government’s number one mission. Greater Cambridge has the potential to make an even greater contribution to the UK economy and this government is determined to make that happen, and it is why the government has committed £800 million to kick‑start development around Cambridge and Oxford and leverage major public‑private investment.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has reviewed the feedback on the consultation proposals, and has determined that establishing the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation is in the national interest and is the most effective way to unlock sustainable, nationally significant growth in Greater Cambridge.

Today, the government response to the consultation has been published on GOV.UK, which sets out the development area, objectives, governance and accountability, and powers to be granted to the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation. With direct access to central government, the Development Corporation will provide Greater Cambridge with the tools, certainty and investment to bring national and local partners behind shared priorities.

The Development Corporation will be focused on the delivery of strategic, nationally significant growth in its boundary and will work collaboratively with councils, both within and bordering the development area, transport bodies and utilities providers to help super charge growth and unlock development opportunities, supporting the delivery of new homes, infrastructure, and business and laboratory space. Accountable to the Secretary of State, the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation will bring together powers, financing and national influence, whilst working in partnership with local authorities, the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service and local representatives, as part of a joint national and local endeavour.

Delivering nationally significant growth in Greater Cambridge requires a combination of leadership from central and local government, alongside professional expertise in infrastructure and placemaking.

Next steps

The Statutory Instrument establishing the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation will be laid on 4 June. Following this, subject to parliamentary scrutiny and approval, the Development Corporation will be established as an entity.

Following establishment, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will appoint an interim board comprised of experts in fields relevant to development, such as transport and placemaking, who will sit alongside the local leaders. A full and open public appointments process for the permanent Board will be commenced as soon as possible once the Development Corporation is established.

A powers and functions Statutory Instrument will be laid later in the year, which will grant the Development Corporation both plan making and development management powers.

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