Cambridge is home to world-class universities and a vibrant start-up ecosystem. Life sciences, artificial intelligence, robotics, and computing all fuel business growth and technological innovation. Building on a long and proud history, Cambridge is Europe's science capital. But this has created new challenges as well as opportunities. There is an urgent need for new homes, offices, and labs to help our city keep attracting talent for work and study. Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable to buy or rent within the city for everyone and this is driven by a lack of housing stock. Cambridge needs to expand in a sustainable way that reduces congestion, tackles inequality, and improves quality of life.
We must have the right development in the right places. This means getting additional infrastructure and making sure new buildings are beautiful and reflect the historic character of this special and unique city. We will also push for more housing for local people with the right public services. Water scarcity is also a real issue that needs to be resolved. A new urban quarter in Cambridge has the potential to be a positive development, but it will require sustained and serious dialogue. In that spirit, we will work constructively with the Cambridge Delivery Group to deliver proposals that work for the whole city.
We are also committed to achieving net zero by 2050. While that seems like an incredibly challenging goal, there are actions that can be taken at the city level. Cambridge has vast green spaces such as the Botanical Gardens, Grantchester Meadows, Paradise Nature Reserve, Jesus Green and Lammas Land. As Conservatives, we believe that vital spaces like these should be protected as they constitute a part of our natural heritage. We also believe more can be done to improve biodiversity by the City council. If elected we will oppose development that would see too much of valuable green space disappear.