TO BE PUBLISHED June 2025
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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 in the Corridor, the conference will bring key stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss priorities for growth, as well as the Government’s broader strategy to support the science and technology sectors in the region.
Strategic infrastructure and planning priorities
Delegates will assess 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 and meeting targets introduced in the updated National Planning Policy Framework, particularly in Cambridge, as well as for new reservoirs to address regional water scarcity.
Balancing growth, sustainability, and local needs
In assessing the way forward, we expect those attending to consider implications of recent and proposed initiatives, looking at strategic approaches to balancing growth with environmental and community needs. Stakeholder priorities and concerns will be discussed, including environmental sustainability moving forward, particularly in rural areas, alongside priorities for implementing infrastructure development, with local authorities highlighting the need for water and transport investment to keep pace with planned growth.
Planning reform, devolution, and long-term regional strategy
We also expect discussion on opportunities and potential issues relating to proposed measures being introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, including Spatial Development Strategies and a Nature Restoration Fund aiming to support developers in meeting their environmental requirements whilst boosting housing and infrastructure delivery. Reform proposed in the English Devolution White Paper will also be discussed, with Oxfordshire councils currently considering approaches to local government reorganisation and unitarisation. Delegates will assess how government policy can best be developed to serve the Corridor’s economic and community interests, including long-term strategic priorities.
Innovation, investment and governance
Further sessions will explore what is needed for the Corridor to best support innovation, business expansion, and high-value industries, such as AI, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Sessions will consider priorities for strategic delivery, with nearly £14bn of R&D funding announced by DSIT in April, as well as looking ahead at priorities for the Industrial Strategy. Areas for discussion include frameworks for collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and research institutions, as well as attracting investment and approaches to regional skills provision. Options for new governance structures to support coordinated decision-making across the region will also be discussed, following the winding down of pan-regional partnerships.
Overall areas for discussion include:
- strategic priorities:
- implementation of government plans for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor - approaches to achieving economic growth, whilst accounting for environmental and community needs
- 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:
- options for key new housing sites - 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 - alignment of regional growth strategies with national policies
- use of streamlined planning processes - support for sustainable development - Compulsory Purchase Orders
- 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 role of local and combined authorities in strategic decision-making - ensuring coordinated delivery across the region - cross-regional governance structures - learning from regional collaboration
- environmental sustainability and resource management:
- addressing biodiversity and land use concerns - balancing growth with environmental protections - proposed Nature Restoration Fund for developers
- 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 - affordability concerns
- 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
- coordination of regional policy affecting the Corridor with the Government’s wider Industrial Strategy
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from MHCLG; Defra; DfT; DSIT; GLD; and Homes England.
