Consultation begins on Eddington’s future with 5,000 more homes up for discussion

Proposals for the future phases of the Eddington development which could include more than 5,000 new homes are being discussed this month.

The series of public meetings will inform an updated masterplan for the site due to be submitted to planners next year.

The meetings will focus on learning lessons from the first phase of the development as construction enters its final phases and look forward to future development of plots on the site proposed for the coming years.

Matt Johnson, head of development for North West Cambridge at the University of Cambridge, said: “The first consultation events will introduce key elements of the future phases and give residents an opportunity to have their voice heard. Residents will be able to provide feedback through short surveys and feedback forms which will be used to inform the new masterplan.

“Further consultations will be held later this year and into 2025 before the updated masterplan is submitted to Greater Cambridge Shared Planning next year.”

The first phase of Eddington established the heart of the new multi-use neighbourhood with housing, community facilities and infrastructure to support the community.

This includes 1,100 homes that are already in use with another 700 under construction, accommodation for students, a nursery, primary school, supermarket and community centre. The future phases will deliver more homes, as well as more social and green space.

Infrastructure to be delivered includes extensions to main primary road networks, the completion of Brook Leys Parkland, underground bins and further development of the sustainable engineering features of Eddington.

Previously outline planning permission for 3,000 new homes was secured for the site, but there is now the potential for this to rise to more than 5,000 new homes, say developers. Based on current plans, around half of the homes will be for university key workers with the rest on the open market, they add.

Affordable housing for staff is critical to ensure the university can attract and retain talent in a global marketplace and maintain its status as a leading institution.

Eddington is next to West Cambridge, a world-leading science, technology, and research cluster anchored by the university. The ambitions for both places are connected and complementary with Eddington providing key worker housing for West Cambridge, which supports employment opportunities for those living in Eddington.

The university will be launching a series of public exhibitions to support the consultation process at various venues in Cambridge from 24 September to 2 October 2024, including a community webinar on 30 September.

The events can be seen below. Feedback from the community was also gathered at the Storeys Field parkrun on Saturday (14 September).

The consultation events

In-person drop-in sessions will be held at the following locations:

- Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington Avenue, Cambridge CB3 1AA – Tuesday, 24 September, 3.30-7.30pm and Wednesday, 2 October, 4.30-7.30pm
- The University Centre, Granta Place, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RU: Wednesday, 25 September, 3–7pm
- Lion Yard Shopping Centre – Saturday, 28 September, 10am-2pm.

A community webinar will be held on Monday, 30 September, at 6-7pm. Email consultation@eddington-cambridge.co.uk to join.