Morning, Tuesday, 17th June 2025
Online
This conference will examine next steps for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, with a focus on strategic priorities for infrastructure, investment, and governance to support economic development across the region.
Following recent government announcements on transport, housing, and research investment in the Corridor, the conference will bring key stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss priorities for growth and the Government’s broader strategy to support science and technology sectors in the region. Delegates will discuss the way forward for plans put forward by the Chancellor to advance key infrastructure projects, including East West Rail, aimed at improving connectivity between Oxford and Cambridge, alongside proposals for housing development, particularly in Cambridge, as well as investment in new reservoirs to address regional water scarcity.
In assessing the way forward, we expect those attending to consider implications of these initiatives, looking at strategic considerations for balancing growth with environmental and community needs. Stakeholder priorities and views will be discussed, including environmental sustainability, particularly in rural areas, alongside priorities for implementing planned infrastructure development, with local authorities highlighting the need for water and transport investment to keep pace with planned growth.
We also expect discussion on opportunities and potential issues relating to current reforms being introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, as well as those proposed in the English Devolution White Paper. Delegates will assess what will be needed from the Government’s development of policy to best serve the interests and ambitions for the Corridor, its economy and communities, including long-term strategic priorities.
Further sessions will explore what will be needed for the Corridor to best support innovation, business expansion, and high-value industries, including AI, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Areas for discussion include frameworks for collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and research institutions. Options for new governance structures to support coordinated decision-making across the region will also be discussed, particularly following the winding down of pan-regional partnerships.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage overall areas for discussion include:
- strategic priorities:
- implementation of government plans for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor - achieving economic growth, whilst accounting for environmental and community priorities
- infrastructure and connectivity:
- delivery of East West Rail and road upgrades - improving links between growth hubs - ensuring transport networks support housing and business expansion
- housing and development:
- choices for key sites for new housing - addressing barriers to development - provision of infrastructure investment in water, transport, and public services
- planning and regulatory reform:
- implications of measures proposed in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill for the Corridor - assessing measures relevant to alignment of regional growth strategies with national policies
- use of streamlined planning processes - support for sustainable development
- investment and innovation:
- opportunities for strategic use of regional research strengths in AI, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing
- attracting domestic and international investment - support for business expansion and job creation
- regional coordination and governance:
- the future role of local and combined authorities in strategic decision-making - ensuring coordinated delivery across local authorities in the region
- options for cross-regional governance structures - learning from the experience of regional collaboration that has taken place
- environmental sustainability and resource management:
- addressing biodiversity and land use concerns - balancing growth with environmental protections
- new reservoir projects - what will be needed to manage and serve demands for water into the future
- community engagement and buy-in:
- addressing concerns from rural and urban communities - ensuring equitable distribution of public benefit from investment and development - securing local support for long-term growth plans
- the Corridor’s national role:
- strategic options for positioning the region as a global technology and science hub - ensuring the Oxford-Cambridge corridor supports UK-wide economic and societal ambitions
- alignment and coordination of regional policy affecting the Corridor with the Government’s wider industrial strategy
