Cycling and green lakeside living is part of the Waterbeach Barracks development design code

A detailed vision of the Waterbeach Barracks and airfield development has been provided following the approval of the design code for the first phase of building.

Marking the beginning of the next stage of planning, it covers the first 1,600 homes, a primary school, community buildings for health and libraries, space of up to 11 acres of grassland, a 23-acre lake, large areas of woodland and more than 25 play areas.

Caroline Foster from Urban&Civic, delivering the development on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said: “This design code is a key document to set the bar high for all of the development partners we will work with in the delivery of this extraordinary place: from house builders, to those building schools, creating landscapes which deliver biodiversity net gain, or creating the walk and cycle-friendly infrastructure that is central to the vision for the new community.”

The first phase will create a key gateway and sustainable travel hub on the A10 Cambridge Research Park roundabout and include cycle connections to the Science Park and along the A10 to Cambridge city centre.

The 23-acre lake will have waterside amenities along with running and cycle routes around the lake and woodland.

The lakeside and the principal centre will become key destinations, with the design, size and positioning to reflect the role for future populations.

The design code has an important role in preserving site-wide heritage assets and ensuring that they are well defined and enhanced. The Causeway, which connected the village of Waterbeach to Denny Abbey, is promoted as a focal route through the development, and the 19th century Well Head and Memorial Garden are key heritage assets that will be focal points.

A series of key open public spaces have been identified and categorised according to their location, function and landscape character. They will be the northern gateway, an arrival space from the A10 comprising wetland, grassland and woodland blocks. There will also be wildlife corridors, lakeside nature areas, woods, gardens and parks as well as allotments.

The principal access for the first phase will be through a northern junction off the existing Cambridge Research Park roundabout. The plan allows for a second access to the site from a new junction with the A10 to the north of the existing A10 Denny End Road junction.

Segregated cycle lanes will be provided along primary and secondary streets, and through open spaces on paths shared with pedestrians, with the design code stressing that all streets must be designed as places where cyclists are safe and welcome.

The design code states that cycle parking must be secure and as convenient as car parking in order to deliver the vision of a sustainable development, which promotes sustainable modes of transport. Public and private electric car charging points will be integrated in streets and buildings.

Caroline said: “We are now looking forward to making the vision a reality with the first £15m of contracts lined up to deliver early works for the landscape and infrastructure, which will be in place before the homes and first school come forward.”

The Design Code will enable a number of Reserved Matter Applications to come forward for individual aspects of the development, including the primary school and the first homes.