Oxford-cambridge Arc

(asked on 16th July 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the team working on the Oxford to Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework has undertaken analysis of the different approaches to environmentally-friendly planning by local authorities along the Arc; and if they will publish this analysis.


Answered by
Christopher Pincher Portrait
Christopher Pincher
This question was answered on 26th July 2021

Environmental sustainability is at the heart of our approach to the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, with a core focus for the Spatial Framework development being sustainable green growth.

The natural environment does not fit within administrative boundaries, so a cross-boundary approach is intended to make it easier to deliver against environmental priorities across the whole area. This includes working closely with local partners across the Arc including local planning authorities.

To ensure sustainability is embedded in the Spatial Framework we are producing a Sustainability Appraisal to address environmental issues alongside social and economic issues as the framework and its policies develop. This will inform decision-making and help achieve improved sustainability outcomes. A Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report has been prepared as part of our public consultation this summer. This provides more information on our approach and on the Arc's environmental assets.

Two further stages of public consultation on the Spatial Framework will follow, including a second consultation on policy options, and a third consultation on the draft framework. Each stage will be supported by the Sustainability Appraisal and evidence to explain our approach to policy development.

We also appreciate the significant work that has already been undertaken by local partners to develop an evidence base to support planning. We will review the existing evidence and use the most relevant, up-to-date and reliable analysis, to help inform the Spatial Framework's development.

Reticulating Splines