Growing Cambridge, Growing the East: Unlocking Regional Potential

At this week’s Labour Party Conference, the Eastern Powerhouse convened a timely fringe discussion on the future of Cambridge and the East of England. The event brought together political leaders and business voices to explore how the region can harness growth in Cambridge to benefit the wider economy.

A region of global significance

Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, set the tone by underlining Cambridge’s international importance, particularly in science and technology. He emphasised the challenge of persuading a contented city to accept rapid expansion – new homes, new infrastructure, and inevitable Green Belt trade-offs. Growth, he argued, must benefit existing communities as well as newcomers.

Instead of resisting housing growth (150,000 new homes), the mayor argued for “leaning in”—influencing tenure, location and infrastructure to ensure new development benefits existing communities as well as newcomers.

The mayor emphasised how the growth agenda must spread to Peterborough and the Fens through faster rail connections and new mass rapid transit, and how skills must be developed to enable all residents, old and young, to access the opportunities that economic growth will bring.

Providing water-supply solutions, such as the proposed reservoir at Chatteris and the potential for a network of agricultural reservoirs in the Fens will be a key challenge in meeting new housing and population growth.

Devolution is driving growth in Cambridge and Peterborough, and Mayor Bristow aims to surpass Manchester’s 3 per cent per year by working collaboratively with neighbouring areas.

Spreading the benefits

Roz Bird, CEO of Norwich Research Park, made the case for a differentiated cluster arguing that Norwich’s strength lies in its unique science base – from plant genomics to agri-biotech – rather than being “a cheaper Cambridge.” However, she stressed the need for practical connections between high-tech firms across Cambridge, Peterborough, and Norwich, helping companies to collaborate locally as well as globally.

The proposal for a “supercluster” approach, would connect companies from Oxford, Silverstone, Cambridge, Peterborough and Norwich to tackle global challenges together. Events such as Norwich’s fringe visit during Cambridge Tech Week demonstrate how the Cambridge brand can drive international investor interest into Norfolk and other places.

Infrastructure priorities include quick-win bus improvements to connect rural “geniuses” with FE colleges and research sites, and vastly improved careers education to inspire young people.

Connectivity and innovation corridors

Councillor Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, highlighted the importance of the Innovation Corridor linking Hertfordshire with Cambridge and London. The corridor is defined by world-class talent in data centres, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and creative industries.

Cllr Newmark argued for regional planning to better align housing, infrastructure, and supply chains. He also pointed to the film and TV sector in Hertfordshire as an engine of growth, one that could integrate into the corridor’s broader innovation economy.

Elstree studios, owned by the local authority, is expanding by seven new sound-stages, while Sky Elstree adds 14 more, yielding a £375 million annual output. The supply chain already extends along the corridor and can be further galvanised through investments in skills and connectivity.

Infrastructure and planning challenges

Harry Bolton, Head of the Manchester Office and North-West Planning & Development for Carter Jonas, emphasised the long-term complexity of delivering major projects, namely the two core challenges—technical complexity across geographies, and long delivery times. He called for strong collaboration between public and private partners, consistency of leadership through dedicated project ambassadors, and a clear strategic vision – one that can guide funding bids to government and align local plans with a regional growth agenda.

Harry Bolton recommended a three-tier policy structure: a high-level strategic vision with an agreed evidence base; local plan policies that set detailed objectives on housing mix, tenure and infrastructure; and masterplan-style frameworks for phased, design-led development.

A coherent “ask” of central government—linking clear infrastructure requests to tangible housing and jobs outcomes—underpins effective funding bids. Delivery vehicles such as development corporations or growth companies can then mobilise those resources.

The takeaway

All panellists agreed that growth in Cambridge cannot be contained within city boundaries. Better rail links to Peterborough, investment in rural skills pipelines, and a stronger partnership between mayors across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire will be essential.

The discussion underscored both the opportunities and challenges. Cambridge is a global asset, but to truly “grow the East,” leaders must tackle housing shortages, infrastructure gaps, water security, and regional inequality. The message was clear: success depends on collaboration – between cities, sectors, universities and colleges and across political parties – to unlock a more connected, prosperous East of England.

“To grow Cambridge is to grow the East—and with it, to strengthen the UK’s position on the world stage.”