Government Plan to transform Oxford-Cambridge Arc into UK's fastest growing region

An ambitious plan to unleash the economic and cultural potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, to transform it into one of the world’s premier growth corridors and a world-leader in sustainability, was announced on Thursday 18th February by the Housing Minister Christopher Pincher.

The spatial framework plan will help to create thousands of jobs, drive investment, protect and enhance the environment, and provide the infrastructure and beautiful new places needed to make the area – which spans the five counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire – an even greater place to live and work.

The results, due to be published in 2022, will give communities a chance to shape the long-term future of their area and will help to ensure the benefits of growth are felt across the region. In the announcement, the Government also confirmed its intention to establish an Arc Growth Body to help unleash the area’s potential as a global innovation powerhouse by promoting the Arc internationally. 

To realise the full potential of local economies and the Arc as a whole, the government is also considering how further investment could create jobs, support the delivery of more homes, and support local economic growth.

Housing Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP, said: "The Oxford-Cambridge Arc is already home to world-leading economic, cultural and scientific assets. We want to take this region to the next phase of its renaissance by unlocking its full potential and our plans will drive investment where it is needed and ensure, as growth happens, we create well-designed, inclusive and vibrant places and communities.

"The OxCam spatial framework will allow us to plan positively for growth and we look forward to working with our local partners over the coming months to strengthen our vision and approach to the Arc."

Councillor Barry Wood, Chair of The Arc Leaders Group and Leader Cherwell District Council, said: "We welcome the continuing commitment from Government to the Oxford to Cambridge Arc through this announcements.

"We look forward to working together with local people and our local partners to deliver an economy that works for all, underpinned by a high-quality natural environment. This will include planning for and enabling development that is truly inclusive and sustainable which delivers real benefits for our communities and environment now and in the future."

The Arc Leadership Group published an Economic Prospectus last September, showing the potential to double the economic output across the Arc region to over £200 billion by 2050, and helping to inform the spatial framework policy paper direction of travel.  

Responding to the announcement, Jeremy Long, Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnerships Group represented in the Arc Leaderships Group said, “ The framework will provide a launchpad from which we can secure and attract the long-term, joined-up public and private investment that is needed. The Arc is already generating over £111bn of economic output each year. It is forecast that this could double by 2050 if the region fully capitalised on its existing strength in science, technology and high value manufacturing. The Leadership Group is committed to achieving a shared vision that supports ground-breaking ideas and innovation, drives sustainable economic growth and helps us to build greener, healthier and happier places to live"

Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Chair of the Arc Universities Group said, "Often the toughest times can give rise to the biggest opportunities and the Arc Universities Group works with Government and business to exploit our world class science and research base, champion our incredible entrepreneurs and inventors, and develop the infrastructure we need to be at the forefront of the UK's green recovery.

“The Arc is already generating over £111bn of economic output each year. It has forecast that this could double to over £200 billion by 2050 if the region fully capitalised on its existing strength in science, technology and high value manufacturing. The Leaders are all committed to achieving a shared vision that supports ground-breaking ideas and innovation, drives sustainable economic growth and helps us to build greener, healthier and happier places to live."

For more information and download the Government's policy paper: planning for sustainable growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc: an introduction to the spatial framework, visit the .gov.uk website.