University of Cambridge Reveals 3,800 Home Masterplan, Adds to Housing Momentum
The University of Cambridge has initiated the third round of public consultation for its Eddington development, presenting updated plans that include up to 3,800 new homes in northwest Cambridge.
The revised proposals also feature commercial spaces, community facilities, and extensive landscaping.
Expected to form part of a planning application later this year, the plans follow two previous consultations in 2024.
If approved, the development would bring the total homes at Eddington to approximately 5,650, including 1,850 from the first phase.
Focused on addressing housing demand for university staff and post-graduate students, the scheme proposes residential buildings of 2-6 stories, with some reaching 8 stories in central areas, alongside more than 50 hectares of green spaces.
The masterplan outlines enhanced active travel routes and minimal car parking for key worker housing. Other additions include employment spaces, recreational facilities, and healthcare infrastructure.
Stakeholder feedback has shaped these updates, with findings showing significant interest in housing at Eddington among university researchers.
Matt Johnson, head of development, expressed enthusiasm for sharing the evolved masterplan, reflecting community input from earlier consultation rounds.
He added, “At this third public consultation, we’re looking forward to showing how we have developed our masterplan by taking onboard the feedback we have received in the first and second rounds last year.”
Other developments in the region
The Fanshawe Road Development in Cambridge is an ambitious project that aims to provide 84 new homes, replacing 30 older properties that were deemed no longer cost-effective to maintain.
The housing mix includes 45 council homes and 39 market-sale properties, with the council homes offered at a combination of affordable and intermediate rental rates.
Notably, 34 of the council homes will be rented at 60% of the market rate, while the remaining 11 will be available at 80%.
The project benefits from £1 million in grant funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Sustainability is a key focus, with all homes designed to meet Passivhaus-equivalent standards, ensuring they are energy efficient and gas-free.
The development will also feature green roofs and include landscaping that creates a green corridor, enhancing biodiversity by 35% and improving links to Coleridge Recreation Ground.
The East Barnwell Development, meanwhile, represents a major regeneration initiative, with plans to deliver up to 400 new homes in total.
The first phases alone will see the construction of 120 affordable homes, replacing 18 older flats. This development is backed by substantial funding, with an indicative cost of £54.6 million, supported by Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.
The project is not limited to housing; it also includes a new community centre, a library, pre-school facilities, and commercial spaces.
Sustainability is once again a priority, as the homes are designed to align with Passivhaus standards, featuring gas-free designs and incorporating green roofs for environmental benefits.
Both developments highlight Cambridge’s commitment to addressing the need for affordable housing while fostering community growth and environmental sustainability.
