Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

Changes to local government funding regulations could help in the development of infrastructure and sustainable homes in Cambridgeshire, councillors suggest.

A special meeting in Cambridge recently saw local councillors and business leaders meet Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling and the east of England minister Barbara Follett to discuss how money generated within the county can be spent on local developments.

They notably suggested to Mr Darling that a tax increment financing scheme, such as the one used in the US, could allow the council to dedicate funds generated in the local area to meet infrastructure needs.

This might potentially see the government boost the development of things like the planned Northstowe low-carbon town.

Alex Plant, the chief executive of Cambridgeshire Horizons, said that although current business rates go into a national pot, a change to the present system may support local infrastructure projects.

He continued: "It was pleasing that so many participants stressed the critical importance of being able to deliver Northstowe to meet housing needs and to deliver a truly low-carbon new community."

Cambridgeshire's proposed Northstowe development would see as many as 9,500 sustainable homes built to meet energy-efficient standards.