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

Proposals for the future phases of the Eddington development in North West Cambridge will be discussed at a second round of consultations which begin this weekend.

The series of public meetings, with the first at the Eddington Winter Warmer on 30 November, will continue to shape the emerging masterplan. In this round – which finishes on 10 December – there will be a focus on plans to create a green loop around the neighbourhood, new play-spaces for families, sports pitches and shared gardens.

A strong sense of community spirit has been established at Eddington, as exemplified by Storey’s Field Centre – a landmark community centre and arts performance hall that hosts an exciting programme of cultural events and activities – and new retail openings in Eddington Square including Dulcedo Social, Outspoken Cycles and the La Pizzica restaurant. This will be further boosted by the proposals to enhance Eddington’s green spaces. The shared garden proposal aims to create larger green spaces within Eddington for neighbours to come together and feel a sense of community spirit.

The second consultation will also provide an opportunity to discuss Eddington’s active travel plans. There have been significant enhancements to the cycling and pedestrian network compared to the consented 2013 scheme, with a new active travel network segregated from road traffic that connects to all homes and open spaces in Eddington. We’ve also looked at improving the road access route with traffic calming measures to create a for vehicles, together with multiple crossing points north to south for pedestrians and cyclists.

The first round of public consultation on Eddington’s future phases took place in late September and early October. Around 500 members of the community – including Eddington’s residents, University staff and students, and elected councillors – attended the drop-in sessions providing valuable feedback.

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. Around 1,000 homes have been built to date, with 800 more under construction from the first phase.

Under the emerging masterplan for the site, there will be a total of between 5,000 to 6,000 homes alongside community facilities and infrastructure to support the residents. While environment assessments for planning purposes suggest a maximum of , it is envisaged the final number of homes will be between 5,000 and 6,000. This can be achieved with a similar ‘gentle’ densification of buildings to the first phase already in place across the Eddington site.

Half of these homes will be available for University key workers and the rest will be on the open market. Affordable housing for staff is critical to ensure the University can attract and retain talent so it can maintain its status as a leading organisation. Additionally, by housing staff in purpose-built homes and increasing the number of homes on the open market, Eddington aims to relieve the overall housing pressure on the city of Cambridge.

Matt Johnson, Head of Development for North West Cambridge at the University of Cambridge, said: “The first public consultation introduced key elements of Eddington’s future phases and gave hundreds of residents an opportunity to have their voices heard. We’ve listened and we know that preservation of existing green spaces and their growth is important.

“That’s why at this second consultation we want to learn more about this as we continue to develop plans on Eddington’s green spaces, including shared gardens. Residents will be able to give feedback in person, at a webinar and feedback forms on our website. I look forward to discussing our plans with the community at the second consultation.”

Five in-person drop-in sessions will be held at the following locations. Booking is not required for any of these sessions:

Eddington Winter Warmer

Eddington Square, 27 Eddington Ave, Cambridge CB3 0EU

Saturday 30 November, 12pm – 4pm

Postdoc Academy

105 Eddington Pl, Cambridge CB3 1AS

Monday 2 December, 2pm – 7pm
Saturday 7 December, 10am – 2pm
Tuesday 10 December, 3pm – 7pm

West Hub

JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge CB3 0US

Wednesday 4 December, 11am – 2pm

Online webinar

To take part in the online session, people can register to attend, at: consultation@eddington-cambridge.co.uk

Monday 9 December 6pm – 7pm

University staff and post-graduate students

There will be a presentation on the emerging masterplan for University staff and post-graduate students at the Postdoc Academy on Monday 2 of December from 6pm – 7pm. To register attendance, email: consultation@eddington-cambridge.co.uk.