A new low-carbon community could be developed on a major brownfield site

The Greater Cambridge shared planning service – a partnership between South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridge City Councils – has published a plan for how a new district could be created on the land between the A14, Cambridge North railway station and Cambridge Science Park.

This low-carbon community could deliver thousands of new homes, jobs and high-quality facilities.

Cllr Aidan Van de Weyer, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s deputy leader and lead cabinet member for strategic planning, said: "We have a unique opportunity to regenerate this significant brownfield area on the edge of the city to provide environmentally-friendly living.

"We need to take a different approach here to car use as the network in this area simply cannot cope. By putting homes, jobs, excellent public transport links and facilities together in the right way we can achieve a new type of low-carbon living.

"This would also keep people’s commutes to a minimum, reducing their overall cost of living, and therefore making the homes more affordable to live in. Subject to approvals by councillors, a public consultation about the plans will launch early next year.”

Ideas within the report include the opportunity to create a low-carbon district. This reflects the fact that jobs in the adjoining science and business parks could be supported by nearby new homes, while local facilities for new and existing residents and businesses would also reduce the need for cars.

The site is next to Cambridge North station and the guided busway and has good walking and cycling links.

Councillors at both councils will now discuss the plans before a public consultation exploring the issues for the site, and options for regenerating it, is carried out early next year.

Anglian Water’s water treatment facility would need to be relocated for comprehensive regeneration of the area to take place. A bid to government for funding to remove the facility has passed the first round of assessment.

Cllr Kevin Blencowe, Cambridge city executive councillor for planning, said: “As one of our last strategic brownfield sites, it has the potential to deliver a wide range of benefits, not just for the area but the city as a whole.”