University approves first phase of £1bn North West Cambridge development

The first phase of the scheme will include approximately 530 homes for qualifying University and College staff as well as 450 homes for sale, accommodation for 300 students, a local centre with community facilities, and much of the site infrastructure.

Cambridge City Council's Joint Development Control Committee, which consists of councillors from Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council resolved to grant outline planning permission to the scheme in August last year.

The full scheme will include 1,500 homes for qualifying University and College employees, 1,500 homes for sale, accommodation for 2,000 graduate students, 100,000 square metres of research facilities and a wide range of community facilities. Over a third of the overall site will be created as green space.

“The North West Cambridge development is a major part of the University’s long-term future," said pro-vice chancellor for institutional affairs, Professor Jeremy Sanders. "It will provide much of the residential and research accommodation that the University needs as it grows over the next 20 years."

“Attracting world-class academics, researchers and research partners is vital if the University is to retain its world-class position. Being able to provide high-quality, affordable housing in a thriving community will be an important element of our attraction to staff and students, and phase one of the development focuses on this immediate need," Sanders said.

“North West Cambridge is the largest development in the country to be built to the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 and BREEAM Excellent for other uses," said North West Cambridge Development project director Roger Taylor.

"The ambition to create a low-carbon community incorporates a green travel plan and energy and utilities systems. The development will be an exemplar of sustainable living,” he said.

Work on the infrastructure is expected to start later this year and the first buildings are expected to be completed in late 2015.