In pictures: Museum in Northstowe could be created from shipping containers

Shipping containers would be used to create a museum in Northstowe under plans from Cambridgeshire County Council.

It has unveiled new designs for Northstowe Heritage Annex to be built beside the temporary Homes England office space.

Permission is sought for the museum to be on site for five years, as the land is ultimately due to be developed for the new town, which will eventually feature 10,000 homes. The container design means it could be dismantled and moved elsewhere.

It would display artefacts from the archaeological digs carried out in preparation for Northstowe and as part of the A14 upgrade scheme. Bronze Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon finds were made during the digs, which uncovered round houses, religious shrines and artefacts, such as terracotta pottery and jewellery.

It is hoped members of the public would learn more about the history of Longstanton and RAF Oakington from the museum and there could be school visits.

The application suggests it will be an “important education, exhibition and events space” for the community.

Plans for a museum were approved in 2020 but as the work did not start in time, the permission has relapsed, prompting the revised design, which is inspired by existing and former buildings on the RAF Pakington military base area.

The plans for the original museum, permission for which has now lapsed:

Read more

Decision due over plans for further 1,000 homes at Northstowe

4,000 new homes for Northstowe approved despite claims of ‘ecocide’ and fears of water shortages