University of Cambridge consultation will explore growth of Eddington to 5,000-6,000 homes
A second consultation on the future of Eddington is to be launched this weekend by the University of Cambridge, which plans to grow the development to between 5,000 and 6,000 homes.
A series of public meetings and drop-in sessions, beginning at the Eddington Winter Warmer event on Saturday (30 November) and ending on 10 December, will help to shape the masterplan for the North West Cambridge development.
The university says the focus will be on plans to create a green loop around the neighbourhood, new play spaces for families, sports pitches and shared gardens.
It suggests the use of shared gardens will create larger green spaces for neighbours to come together and will foster community spirit.
Outline planning permission was originally granted for 3,000 new homes at Eddington but the university says environment assessments suggest the site could accommodate a maximum of 6,000 homes.
It envisages the final number to be between 5,000 and 6,000 “to ensure high standards of sustainability and community are maintained” and will achieve this increase using “a similar ‘gentle’ densification of buildings to the first phase already in place across the Eddington site”.
So far, about 1,000 homes have been built at Eddington, with 800 more under construction from the first phase.
Half of the new homes will be available for university key workers, to help it attract and retain talent, with the rest placed on the open market.
The second consultation will also explore Eddington’s active travel plans, with major enhancements to the cycling and pedestrian network compared to the scheme approved in 2013.
A new active travel network segregated from road traffic connects to all the homes and open spaces in Eddington, and traffic calming measures and multiple crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists from north to south have helped to create a low-speed environment.
The latest consultation follows an earlier round held in late September and early October.
About 500 members of the community – including residents, university staff and students, and councillors, attended the drop-in sessions.
Matt Johnson, head of development for North West Cambridge at the University of Cambridge, said: “The first public consultation introduced key elements of Eddington’s future phases and gave hundreds of residents an opportunity to have their voices heard.
“We’ve listened and we know that preservation of existing green spaces and their growth is important.
“That’s why at this second consultation we want to learn more about this as we continue to develop plans on Eddington’s green spaces, including shared gardens.
“Residents will be able to give feedback in person, at a webinar and feedback forms on our website. I look forward to discussing our plans with the community at the second consultation.”
Eddington is also home to Storey’s Field Centre – a community centre and arts performance hall with a programme of cultural events and activities. New retail openings in Eddington Square have included Dulcedo Social, Outspoken Cycles and the La Pizzica restaurant.
The drop-in consultation sessions
Eddington Winter Warmer
Eddington Square, 27 Eddington Ave, Cambridge CB3 0EU
Saturday, 30 November, 12-4pm
Postdoc Academy
105 Eddington Pl, Cambridge CB3 1AS
- Monday, 2 December, 2-7pm
- Saturday, 7 December, 10am-2pm
- Tuesday, 10 December, 3-7pm
West Hub
JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge CB3 0US
- Wednesday, 4 December, 11am-2pm
Online webinar
Register at: consultation@eddington-cambridge.co.uk
- Monday, 9 December 6-7pm
University staff and post-graduate students
There will be a presentation on the emerging masterplan for University staff and post-graduate students at the Postdoc Academy on Monday 2 of December from 6-7pm. To register attendance, email: consultation@eddington-cambridge.co.uk.
