Homes England, the government’s national housing agency, has submitted an outline planning application proposing up to 4,000 homes as part of phase 3A of Northstowe. A separate consultation, for phase 3B of Northstowe, proposes a further 1,000 homes and is already underway.
The public consultation for phase 3A, running until 6 July, has been launched by the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service to help people have their say. This date will be kept under review in light of current restrictions on movement and can be extended if necessary. The Shared Planning Service is a partnership between South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridge City Councils.
The proposals for phase 3A, covering land at the southern end of of Northstowe, include:
- Up to 4,000 homes
- A new local centre, including approximately 6,000 square metres of shops, offices, research and development space and light industrial areas
- Two new primary schools, including a pre-school
- Multi-purpose community facilities
- Sports facilities
- Open space – including a skate park, multi-use games area, woodlands, allotments and community orchard
- The retention of the existing military lake
- A new lake on the site of the former airbase runway
- Drainage works, an expansive open parkland along the eastern site boundary providing a green corridor to Oakington and Longstanton
- New trees and the retention of existing trees
- Cycle, pedestrian and public transport links to Oakington and Longstanton and the upgraded A14
- New roads and vehicle links to Dry Drayton Road and the improved A14
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr DrTumi Hawkins, said: “This forms one of two important planning applications for this area and I would encourage as many people as possible to have their say to help shape the future of Northstowe. It remains clear from Government that despite the Coronavirus outbreak, the planning system must continue to operate. With that in mind, as with the public consultation for phase 3B, we are doing all we can to make it as easy as possible for people to comment despite the restrictions on movement. This includes raising awareness by sending letters, putting notices on display in locations that people pass while exercising and working with Longstanton and Oakington Parish Councils. However the best way to find out about this significant proposal is to look online at our website now.”
Local people can comment on the phase 3A (4,000 homes) proposals by visiting www.scambs.gov.uk/planning/view-or-comment-on-a-planning-application and using the reference number 20/02171/OUT. The consultation runs until 6 July.
If residents have any questions they can contact the planning department via planningcomments@greatercambridgeplannning.org
Comments on the phase 3B proposals (1,000 homes) can be made by visiting the above website and entering the reference number 20/02142/OUT. This consultation is due to close on 23 June 2020, but this will be kept under review in light of current restrictions on movement and can be extended if necessary.
When complete, Northstowe will have up to 10,000 homes and an anticipated population of around 24,000 people. The first residents moved in during early 2017 and there are now approximately 500 homes occupied, along with primary and secondary schools and a local square. There are around 1,350 people already living at Northstowe. The new town is connected to the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, which has adjoining cycle routes providing quick connections to the major towns of Cambridgeshire.