The Growth Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the region's Spatial Development Strategy, the Local Growth Plan, and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Delivery Plan. Additionally, the committee will receive updates on the Strategic Place Partnership, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Destination Management Plan, and the Brownfield Housing Fund.

Spatial Development Strategy (SDS)

A key item on the agenda is the Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), which is scheduled for consideration and recommendation to the Combined Authority Board. The report outlines how the Combined Authority will proceed with its duty to prepare this strategy. The SDS is a crucial document that will shape future planning policies and support the delivery of the Local Growth Plan, aiming to integrate spatial and infrastructure investment decisions with broader economic, environmental, health, climate, and infrastructure priorities. The government has confirmed initial revenue funding of £1.55 million to support the SDS preparation, with potential for further funding up to around £4 million. The formal duty to prepare the SDS is expected to commence after the parliamentary summer recess, with the revised National Planning Policy Framework also anticipated later in the year. Pre-inception tasks are underway, including evidence base development and stakeholder engagement.

Local Growth Plan Update

The committee will receive an update on the Local Growth Plan (LGP), which sets out the scale and model of growth achievable through substantial investment in infrastructure across water, energy, transport, housing, and skills. Since its launch in December, the focus has shifted to delivery, with a cross-Combined Authority LGP programme management board established to oversee seven workstreams: Data & Evidence Base, Plan Prioritisation, Investment Pipeline, Funding & Investment, Partnerships & Communications, and Governance. The report also details progress on sector plans, inward investment, and place-based investments, including the crucial work on the Spatial Development Strategy.

Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) Update

An update on the Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) with Homes England will be presented, detailing significant work undertaken to drive home delivery across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to meet government housing targets and Local Growth Plan ambitions. The report will cover findings from studies on North Huntingdon and proposals for the Peterborough City Centre Growth Board, which aims to coordinate activity and oversee delivery as a precursor to a potential Mayoral Development Corporation. The committee will also consider the proposed allocation of Homes England revenue funding for 2026/27 to key projects, including Peterborough city centre regeneration, the North Huntingdon Opportunity Zone, brownfield land opportunities, and the Fenland Triangle.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy Delivery Plan

The committee is asked to approve the initial delivery plan for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). This plan sets out immediate and short-term actions to advance nature recovery across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The LNRS, formally published in December 2025, identifies priorities including natural landscape areas, farmland, urban habitats, and species. The delivery plan proposes a phased approach, with Natural Cambridgeshire appointed as the delivery partner for 2026/27. The strategy aims to increase the condition of existing nature-important areas and transform potential nature areas into identified natural assets, supported by a £185,000 grant from DEFRA over three financial years.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Destination Management Plan (DMP)

Progress on the preparation of a Destination Management Plan (DMP) for the Visitor Economy will be presented. This plan is a condition of the Combined Authority's Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) accreditation with VisitEngland, which was approved in May 2026. The DMP will define a five-year growth and sustainability framework for the visitor economy, aiming to increase the value of tourism, enhance visitor experience, and promote sustainable growth. The report will also cover updates on the development of a regional visitor brand and narrative, intended to strengthen the region's identity and visitor appeal. The DMP's implementation, funding, and resourcing will be discussed, with a proposed governance model based on the principles of the Combined Authority's Business Board.

Brownfield Housing Fund

The committee will be updated on the allocation of a £26.1 million Brownfield Housing Fund (BHF) from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). This capital funding is intended to unlock housing supply on brownfield sites, with an objective to deliver a minimum of 870 new home starts by 2031. The report outlines the next steps for securing the funds, including the finalisation and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MHCLG. A proposed delivery model combining targeted site interventions and an open call for smaller sites is detailed, with an initial focus on utilising the Strategic Place Partnership's prioritised pipeline of brownfield sites.

Budget and Performance Report

The committee will receive the outturn financial position for the Growth Committee's budgets for the financial year 2025-26. The report details income and expenditure against budget, highlighting variances and reasons for them. Significant variances are noted for the Spatial Development Strategy, where income is a receipt in advance for forthcoming work, and for various resilience and net zero programmes where expenditure has been deferred to align with revised project timelines and funding agreements. The report also outlines the proposed budgetary reporting for 2026/27, which will incorporate Economic Growth budgets and present Resilience budgets within a broader Place budget group.

Work Programme

Finally, the committee will review its Work Programme for 2026-27, noting confirmed agenda items and future considerations. Items for future consideration include lessons learned from the Opportunity Fund, initiatives related to the John Clare Countryside Project, Fens Land Management, environmental constraints to the Local Growth Plan, and presentations from the NFU and Young Farmers.