4,000 New Homes Set For Northstowe

Plans for 4,000 new homes, two primary schools, green spaces, sports pitches, shops and employment areas have been given the thumbs up by South Cambridgeshire planners.

Councillors on the planning committee voted to give the planning application by Homes England outline planning permission, setting out the vision for how the land will be developed. A series of detailed planning applications will follow, to agree the details on what homes and facilities look like. This will happen after a legal agreement securing the new affordable homes and facilities has been completed and the formal planning decision notice issued.

The Northstowe 3A application that was agreed includes 1,600 new affordable homes in a mixture of affordable rent, shared ownership, discounted market sale and rent to buy. This will help a wide range of people get on the housing ladder or rent at lower than market rates.

The town, once complete, will be one of the largest new towns built since the 1960s and have in the region of 10,000 homes. Currently around 980 newly built homes at the town are already lived in.

The phase 3A application includes a local centre which will be a focal point for the community. The centre will include a park and space for shops and cafes. The site is largely bounded to the north by Northstowe Phase 2; to the east by the Guided Busway; to the south by the village of Oakington, and to the west by arable farmland.

Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Delivery, said: “Our Planning Committee carefully considered this application over the course of a whole day. There were clearly many factors to balance. Supporting this application will see this new town growing to meet the needs and aspirations of the community. Delivering 40% affordable homes with a good mix of the types on offer is really important to make sure everyone has a chance to find a place to call home. Northstowe is already shaping up to be a green and healthy place to live and it was great to hear that Homes England really used the feedback from the community to shape these plans. And, of course, further consultation will be carried out as the detailed planning applications are submitted.”

The report discussed at the Planning Committee can be viewed online.