Helping nature and planning for people from Oxford to Cambridge

JTP has committed to delivering biodiversity net gain on all our projects and look for opportunities to significantly improve biodiversity and provide green infrastructure that connects into the wider nature network. We collaborated with The Wildlife Trusts to conceive an alternative, nature-led vision for the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Arc – the area between Oxford and Cambridge which has been identified as the location for a million new homes, new transport infrastructure, and new places to work.

Our alternative vision for the area – 100 Miles Wilder – will allow for the most valuable habitats and natural assets to be protected, and increase natural capital through connecting and enhancing ecological networks, and improve everyone’s access to nature. Coupled with a strategic environmental assessment and a sustainable travel index, this would inform the best places to build new communities.

Together with The Wildlife Trusts, we have produced a vision which demonstrates a new way of thinking about how places should be planned – with nature and people’s wellbeing as the starting point. Whilst the map focuses on the Oxford-Cambridge area, the principles and design ideas can be utilised across the UK.

100 Miles Wilder aims to protect natural and ecological assets, making the Oxford-Cambridge Arc a greener, wilder, and ecologically rich environment. The wilder network introduces blue and green infrastructure, alongside extensive sustainable modes of movement including pedestrian, cycle and boating connections.

Wildlife connectivity has also been considered with nature corridors at a macro scale being strengthened to unite habitats. This approach will allow for the most valuable habitats to be protected, increase natural capital through connecting and enhancing ecological networks, and improve everyone’s access to nature. Coupled with a strategic environmental assessment and a sustainable travel index, this could inform the best places to build new communities.

To date, the document has been well-received by local government, and the next step is now to ensure these principles are incorporated by central government and integrated into the Vision and Spatial Framework for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.