OxCam Arc Conference: Are you listening Michael Gove? 

Last week, ECF attended the annual OxCam Arc conference, run by Built Environment Networking, in Milton Keynes. Aside from the backdrop of a rather impressive stadium (even more impressive for a team competing in the doldrums of English football), the two-day event was a fascinating insight and a reminder of just how ambitious plans for the Arc are.

The introductory speech from hosts Bidwells began by highlighting that the eyes of the world have been on the Arc over the past eighteen months, as it was here, thanks to its two renowned universities (Oxford and Cambridge) and state of the art science laboratories through which the UK was able to develop fundamental scientific breakthroughs in the fight against Covid-19 via the AstraZeneca vaccine.

From that moment on and throughout the conference, a clear theme was that the proposals and plans for the Arc are being viewed through a global lens. The two words “world-leading” were repeated numerous times throughout the conference.

Furthermore, whether it was ambitions to build additional scientific research facilities or modern and sustainable transport systems, everything being planned is designed to attract investment and talent from all over the world.

When it came to housing, delivery within mixed-use developments is very much the way forward. Countryside Group Planning Director, Andrew Taylor spoke of their Bourn Airfield development which will include a health centre, sports facilities and ‘strategic transport’. Whilst First Base spoke of creating an “18-hour” destination at their Saxon Court scheme. Housing projects in the Arc will have to offer more than just homes to communities if they are to be viewed as a success.

It was at this particular juncture, as an Engagement Consultant, that was particularly interesting. Developers will need to show that they are listening and emphasise the broader benefits that developments provide to local communities.

Another key theme of the conference that emerged concerned the need to improve infrastructure. Providing a greener and more connected transport system, alongside 5G across the Arc, and improvements to the Victorian era sewage systems, were flagged as priorities. For the Arc to succeed in its pursuit of being a ‘world leading’ tech centre, investment in infrastructure will need to follow pace.

Throughout the event, there were also suggestions of boosting ‘Agri-tech’ and moving people away from car dependency. In its current format, settlements within the Arc cater for driving. Not only does this have negative environmental impacts, but it also has negative impacts on high streets. One of the more telling stats from the conference was that car drivers spend, on average, 40% less time in a high street than those who travel on foot or via public transport.

Thus, it is clear that there is a vision for the Arc and clear ideas on what needs to be done to make these improvements.

However, there was the recurring notion that the Arc needs more guidance from the above. Of the live interactive polls that were running throughout the conference, ‘politics’ was deemed as the most likely factor to hold back the Arc, and perhaps more tellingly, when the audience was asked if they thought the government was doing enough to support the Arc, a hundred per cent of participants said ‘No’.

The sense of confusion coming from the recently formed “Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities” seems to be making developers and local politicians alike nervous. In an area with many devolved local governments and stakeholders, there was a real sense of a lack of leadership from the top is starting to be felt.

Perhaps in a year, the lack of political leadership will be addressed. The appointment of Michael Gove certainly reveals No.10 intends to deliver on levelling up, but the uncertainty around funding and levels of government support could hold back the ambitious plans that the private sector and local authorities have for the Arc.