Northstowe town centre plans signed off

Plans to build a town centre and thousands more homes in Northstowe have been agreed.

Northstowe, near Cambridge, is Britain’s largest new town under development, with around 1,4000 homes currently occupied, and that number could grow to 10,000 by 2040.

This latest agreement between Homes England, Keepmoat and Capital&Centric will enable the creation of 3,000 new homes, 50% of which will be affordable, and a new town centre.

It will provide local people and businesses with up to 50,000 square metres of commercial floorspace including shops, workspace and community facilities.

Matthew Pennycook, Minister for Housing and Planning:

"For far too long we have seen large-scale housing projects stuck in the planning system and that is why we will create a new taskforce to accelerate these stalled sites. 
 
"We will get Britain building again and work is already under way to unlock thousands of new homes in Northstowe.

"This includes giving Homes England the tools they need to deliver the next phase in Northstowe town centre so we can build the quality homes that this local community desperately needs."

Plans to accelerate housebuilding in Northstowe we prioritised by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her maiden speech in July 2024.

The new town is being developed on and around the site of the former RAF Oakington air base, and is already home to around 3,000 people.

The town also includes existing primary, special educational needs and secondary schools, a Park & Ride service linking the town to Cambridge, a sports centre, water parks, miles of bridleways and cycle lanes, and other facilities such as a community centre, playgrounds and allotments. 

Currently under construction is a further primary school, a sixth form college and a second sports facility.