Introduction
In the Jobs theme we set out policies which will guide employment development proposals.
How has community engagement helped shape the jobs policies
Through consultation feedback you told us about the importance of the economy and its high technology clusters. You highlighted that it was important that the area should have a range of jobs, to help tackle poverty and inequality. You also wanted us to support our high streets, and to help them diversify. You also highlighted the importance of protecting the rural economy.
Our strategic priority for our Jobs policies
Strategic Priority: Encourage a flourishing, dynamic and mixed economy in which includes a wide range of jobs, while maintaining our area's global reputation for education, research and innovation.
The economy has a turnover around £30 billion per year, and employs over 110,000 people. It is a globally significant innovation hub for life sciences and information and communications technology (ICT). Cambridge is also home to a world leading university and employment campuses of national and international importance. Our fast-growing economy is driven by successful partnerships between academics, business, investors and local government, and we are committed to sustainable and inclusive growth. We want economic growth to take place alongside environmental and social benefits, so that the benefits are felt by all.
As set out in the Strategy section of this plan, we have explored the needs of different sectors of the economy to ensure a flexible supply of land is available in the right places and allocated a range of sites to help meet needs. The policies in this theme will guide consideration of employment further proposals, ensuring development is focused into sustainable locations. This includes supporting the rural economy and our villages, as well our towns and city.
We want our employment centres to flourish and provide facilities that can compete on the world stage. To do this they must be more than just employment buildings, but provide supporting facilities, green spaces, and services where people can thrive. They can help achieve the full benefits of the where ideas are developed through collaboration. We therefore include policies requiring employment proposals to demonstrate how they will achieve this.
Our key sectors study showed that there is a need for more start up spaces, and our Cultural Strategy showed the benefits of providing multipurpose spaces for creative industries. Mixing these with other uses can help create thriving places. We have therefore introduced a policy to seek an element of affordable employment to be included as part of large employment developments.
For a number of years retail has been changing across the country. As peoples shopping habits change our centres must also change and evolve. Outside new centres within our growth areas the need for new retail is limited, and the amount of retail space has been reducing with proposals like the Grafton Centre re-development. ’s cultural and creative industries are a major and growing economic force employing 14,000 people which makes up 8.5% of total employment in the region. We want Cambridge City Centre to remain a key retail and cultural destination, and our policies seek to maintain its role as the main centre for the subregion, whilst also supporting and protecting other centres to meet local needs.
Cambridge University and its 29 independent university Colleges include a significant number of faculty buildings, and they continue to evolve their estate. Sites like the New Museums site are undergoing significant change to modernise facilities and improve the public realm whilst respecting their historic setting. Anglia Ruskin University are also developing their Cambridge Campus. Our policies support development to meet the continuing needs of these important institutions.
Cambridge has a large tourism sector, with visitors coming from all over the world to see its colleges and museums. Visitors also come for academic research, and to visit friends and family. Reflecting growth in the area our Hotels Study has identified a need for further visitor accommodation, and the local plan seeks to meet this meet by supporting new hotels in key locations.
What our jobs policies do
- Identify where new employment proposals of different types will be supported, to ensure they are appropriate to the location
- Supports the sustainable growth and expansion of business in rural areas, both through conversion of existing buildings and well-designed new buildings.
- Protect valuable agricultural land, unless the loss is outweighed by the benefits and the development cannot be located on areas of poorer quality land.
- Protect business space in from losses to other uses unless it is justified.
- Requires a proportion of affordable workspace to be included in large commercial developments to help start ups and creative businesses.
- Requires employment parks and campuses to consider the need for services and facilities to meet the needs of workers and visitors.
- Focuses retail, leisure and other main town centre development on ’s network of centres to support their vitality and viability, whilst supporting local service provision.
- Identifies the need for new hotel and visitor accommodation and where it should be met.
- Supports the delivery of university faculty development in Cambridge, helping the area maintain its place as a centre of excellence.
Tell us what you think
We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the .
All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.