While the Government’s July 2021 consultation on the Spatial Framework for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc does not grapple directly with the issue of overall housing need, the National Infrastructure Commission has previously recommended building one million homes in the Arc by 2050 and said: “A chronic undersupply of homes could jeopardise growth, limit access to labour and put prosperity [of the Arc] at risk.”

The deferment of housing requirements to LPAs via the standard method risks resulting in the Arc failing to fulfil its clear potential to accommodate housing in a strong economic region that benefits from new and improved infrastructure. Catesby Estates therefore object to the intention to establish a level of housing need for the Local Plan Review linked to the standard method, with no uplift.

Considering the Government ambitions for the Arc it is essential that Bedford establishes a bold housing requirement higher than the standard method. Planning solely for the standard method requirement will fail to represent positive planning and will lead to negative consequences in terms of lower economic growth, increased commuting, and worsening affordability.