University of Cambridge launches public consultation on Eddington’s future phases

5th September 2024

Proposals for the future phases of the Eddington development in North West Cambridge will be discussed at a first round of consultations this month.

The series of public meetings, which begin this weekend with the parkrun at Eddington, will focus on learning lessons from the first phase of the development as construction enters its final phases and look forward to future development of plots on the site proposed for the coming years. The consultations will inform an updated masterplan for the site due to be submitted to planners next year.

Eddington is an active and lively neighbourhood in Cambridge, setting the standard in placemaking while supporting the academic and social goals of the University of Cambridge.

The first phase established the heart of the new multi-use neighbourhood with housing, community facilities and infrastructure to support the community. This includes 1,100 homes that are already in use with another 700 under construction, accommodation for students, a nursery, primary school, supermarket and community centre.

The future phases will build on the success of Eddington so far, delivering more homes, more social and green space, while helping people live in a vibrant and sustainable place. Infrastructure to be delivered includes extensions to main primary road networks, the completion of Brook Leys Parkland, underground bins and further development of the sustainable engineering features of Eddington.

Additionally, there was outline planning permission for 3,000 new homes but there is now the potential for this rise to more than 5,000 new homes. Based on current plans, around half of the homes will be for university key workers with the rest on the open market.

Affordable housing for staff is critical to ensure the University can attract and retain talent in a global marketplace and maintain its status as a leading institution. By housing University staff in a purpose-built, high-quality neighbourhood, while also adding more homes to the open market, Eddington aims to relieve housing pressure on the city and support the highly successful Cambridge eco-system which provides long-term growth and jobs for the wider area and beyond.

Eddington is next to Cambridge West, a world-leading science, technology, and research cluster anchored by the University. The ambitions for both places are connected and complementary with Eddington providing key worker housing for Cambridge West, which supports employment opportunities for those living in Eddington.

As Eddington enters its future phases, the University of Cambridge wants to ensure the community can have a say on the neighbourhood. The University will be launching a series of public exhibitions to support the consultation process at various venues in Cambridge from 24^th September – 2^nd October 2024, including a community webinar on 30 September. Feedback from the community will also be gathered at the Storeys Field parkrun this Saturday at 9am.

Matt Johnson, Head of Development for North West Cambridge at the University of Cambridge, said:

“The first consultation events will introduce key elements of the future phases and give residents an opportunity to have their voice heard. Residents will be able to provide feedback through short surveys and feedback forms which will be used to inform the new masterplan.

“Further consultations will be held later this year and into 2025 before the updated masterplan is submitted to Greater Cambridge Shared Planning next year.”

In-person drop-in sessions will be held at the following locations:

Storey’s Field Centre

Eddington Avenue, Cambridge CB3 1AA

Tuesday 24^th September, 15:30 – 19:30
Wednesday 2^nd October, 16:30 – 19:30

The University Centre

Granta Place, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RU

Wednesday 25^th September, 15:00 – 19:00

Lion Yard Shopping Centre

St Tibb’s Row, Cambridge CB2 3RT

Saturday 28^th September, 10:00 – 14:00

A community webinar will also be held on Monday 30^th September, from 18:00 – 19:00, where the project team will present the proposals and answer questions. If you would like to join the webinar, please email: consultation@eddington-cambridge.co.uk