County council’s report highlights growth corridor importance

Northamptonshire County Council’s new economic report has highlighted its importance of being part of Britain’s ‘silicon valley’.

In his Budget, Chancellor Phillip Hammond endorsed proposals for the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge growth corridor and associated road and rail links, which would be the focus of new housing and economic expansion.

The blueprint for the proposal by the National Infrastructure Commission incorporates parts of Northamptonshire.

However, the county council believes the whole of Northamptonshire should be included as it argues that parts of the county could miss out on the investment opportunities a growth corridor would create.

Additionally, with significant numbers of new homes planned in Northamptonshire, investment is needed in infrastructure to help ‘release’ these and improve housing supply. By doing so the county could make a major contribution to the government’s ambition of doubling the numbers of new homes being built.

Andre Gonzalez De Savage, county council cabinet member for public protection and economic development, said: “It is widely recognised that there is enormous potential in this growth area which would link two of the most significant university cities in the world.

“Currently a lack of suitable housing and infrastructure in the region presents a risk to its success and without a joined-up plan it could be left behind international competitors.

“We believe the whole of Northamptonshire being part of the growth corridor could bring real benefits and we will be lobbying government to make sure that we are included in the plans.”