Paul Belton, partner, Carter Jonas (Cambridge)
It’s kind of ironic that growth is the main focus of the government’s Plan for Change, yet politics might actually be the biggest hurdle to making that growth happen.
In a chat with Planning and Development In Site, Paul Belton, Partner at Carter Jonas in Cambridge, shares his thoughts on whether the government’s plans for Cambridge can really come together given the political uncertainties right now.
Growth depends on certainty – but politics rarely offers that
The government sees physical and economic growth-new homes and jobs-as absolutely essential. That puts a lot of pressure on Cambridge to deliver: they’ve put £10 million into setting up the Cambridge Growth Company to create an ambitious plan for the city. This includes building more commercial and lab spaces; affordable housing where people actually want to live; sustainable transport options like better cycling and walking routes; plus speeding up water infrastructure development across Cambridgeshire.
When this funding was announced last autumn, there was real excitement. But since then, economic ups and downs plus proposed changes in local government and planning rules have made people question how soon anything will actually get built.
“The government is spot on to pick Cambridge as a key growth area,” says Paul. “The city’s location is great, it attracts all sorts of new residents; land prices usually make housing projects doable; and thanks to its science parks and businesses, it has real economic momentum. The tricky part is delivering growth fast enough when you’ve got constraints like Green Belt restrictions, historic underfunding of public transport in the city, and growing concerns about water supply. None of these are impossible problems but each needs long-term fixes – things like new guided busways from Cambourne to Cambridge or building a new reservoir will take years and aren’t popular everywhere. Six months after the announcement, plenty of folks are asking if this government will even stick around long enough to see their plans through.”
Paul points out that sustainable development on a big scale takes decades-politicians tend not to think beyond five-year election cycles. “Big housing projects, strategic infrastructure work, long-term planning don’t line up well with politicians wanting quick wins. Still though, current political drive can help speed things along locally. It’s good news that there’s been a Direction from the Secretary of State pushing through approval for the Fens Reservoir Project via a faster planning route called DCO process. But even with shortcuts like this we’re talking many years before new homes get drinking water – definitely not before the next election or maybe even one after.”
A mixed political scene
The May local elections showed just how much politics is shifting-not just here but nationally too. For example, Labour and Conservatives combined got less than half of votes nationwide (20% for Labour vs 15% for Conservatives). Meanwhile Reform UK jumped ahead with 30%, gaining seats all over.
As Paul explains it’s also pretty complex around Cambridge itself with different parties running different councils: “City Council is Labour-led now but Cambridgeshire County Council flipped Liberal Democrat recently. On top of that our Labour Mayor for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough lost out to a Conservative candidate-and Reform UK went from zero county seats last time to 10 now.”
“This patchwork leadership could cause headaches when making decisions. The city really needs everyone pulling together behind one clear plan linking infrastructure upgrades with investment and housing delivery-but political differences risk pulling everything apart.”
“Also some folks say having another body like Cambridge Growth Company adds extra layers making decisions more complicated.”
The story isn’t over yet either – there’ll be more moves around local government re-organisation and devolution here soon so simplifying structures might become necessary if we want anything done quickly.
You need infrastructure first-but who covers costs?
You can’t build loads more homes or offices without sorting out basic stuff first-water supply, electricity lines or transport links.
“The government probably won’t just hand over huge cash sums expecting property values alone will cover development costs,” says Paul. “That means we need fresh ways of funding stuff upfront-and thankfully groups like Cambridge Growth Company give us chances to unlock money for strategic infrastructure without relying heavily on Treasury budgets forever.”
Still central government has stepped in before when lack of infrastructure held back growth-for example funding plans around building new reservoirs or wastewater treatment plants have been underway (though some were paused recently requiring alternative solutions).
Energy supply could be an issue too down the road-Cambridge hasn’t faced major power crunches yet but that may change soon according to Paul: “We haven’t seen big data centres popping up here yet but given predicted job increases especially in tech fields I’d expect them eventually-it’ll mean energy capacity becomes key in approving big developments.”
Planning stuck moving at politician’s pace?
The recent Planning Reform Working Paper titled Speeding Up Build Out looks at why approved developments take ages before getting off ground-but its suggestions haven’t impressed industry insiders much. “Private builders won’t rush things faster than what market demand allows,” says Paul bluntly. “And honestly there are loads more reasons slowing progress which this paper misses altogether-it shows how far apart political hopes are from reality developers face every day.”
He adds infrastructure again causes delays: “The Growth Company hired consultants tasked with creating ‘a vision based on solid evidence’ guiding Greater Cambridge’s long-term expansion-that alone may take over a year! So fitting everything inside what remains of this Parliament seems impossible-not mentioning if next Government doesn’t share same goals then who knows?”
A short window under single term governments?
A growing number reckon Labour might only get one parliamentary term-which feels too brief to do something lasting anyway. Poll numbers remain shaky while Keir Starmer saying he wants reelection by 2029 hasn’t stopped talk about potential one-and-done administration status.
“That mood was obvious at UKREii F,” recalls Paul. “Developers now see politics as very short-lived-they chase quick gains picking sites ready fast because they feel time slipping away fast.”
Paul reminds us building homes isn’t something you speed up easily by rushing politicians’ timetables: “Even if politicians had strong willpower plus money-which frankly they don’t-the actual pipeline still takes time since system itself isn’t designed for rapid results.”
A model project?
The eyes are on Cambridge as sort of an experiment zone-with Peter Freeman chairing Growth Company saying city might show others how scaling delivery could work elsewhere too-and Chancellor Rachel Reeves hinting same approach might roll out in Oxford plus other high-growth regions.
“Cambridge is uniquely well-placed,” says Paul.”Its opportunities-and its challenges too-can´t be cut-and-pasted across country.”
Paul adds strong financials sometimes hide stress below surface:”Just because scheme works financially doesn´t mean it´s feasible.”Fens Reservoir being taken through NSIP shows how seriously govt treats water issues central unlocking regional growth.”Conflicting priorities among leaders
Election last May saw Conservative Paul Bristow become Mayor replacing Labour’s previous holder marking shift especially regarding transport. For instance Bristow wants Mill Road Bridge reopened to cars which clashes directly with City Council pushing pedestrianisation.
“This sets stage for conflict,” warns Paul.”Mayor controls spatial framework-but multiple authorities must agree. His agenda unclear whether aligns fully with Growth Company or local plans.”
Political misalignment risks stalling vital citywide projects. Paul notes:”Hard deliver consistent progress without shared vision. When major players disagree strategically, it slows everything.”Can real growth happen?
Despite all these hurdles Paul stays cautiously hopeful stressing serious growth demands political maturity, new local governance setups, and ditching short-term thinking altogether.
“Growth can happen,” he says.”But only if politics stays steady plus funding supports long haul.”
He concludes that while lessons emerge from Cambridge experience there’re limits too.”What city truly needs-and others eventually-is cross-party agreement backing long-term infrastructure delivery. Might require fresh governance ideas or stronger central coordination. But mostly patience-thinking way beyond next election cycle.”
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