The application to develop the former RAF airfield and barracks comes just two weeks after the Housing White Paper which emphasised the importance of making best use of previously developed land to build houses within existing settlements, and where people most want and need to live.
Urban & Civic chief executive Nigel Hugill said: “Outside London, Waterbeach is the best brownfield site in the country.
“Furthermore, Waterbeach precisely represents the cross Government department approach envisaged in the Housing White Paper.
” To that extent, it can be seen as a bellwether for the more rapid delivery of quality and scale.”
Urban & Civic is acting as master developer but the site continues to be owned by the MOD, which commissioned the firm to maximise revenues to the Exchequer and accelerate housing numbers.
Outline planning application at Waterbeach
· Up to 6,500 homes, including up to 600 care home units
· Three primary schools
· Multi-purpose community centres, health care, nurseries, library use, places of worship and museum
· Sports and fitness centres (up to 7,000 sq m)
· Up to 16,500 sq m of shops
· Offices and light industrial units (up to 15,000 sq m)
· Lake-side hotel
· Supporting infrastructure including energy centres, waste management facilities, drainage works and sustainable urban drainage systems.
The development will see two new access points onto the A10, and the application also provides for a new Park and Ride facility.
The developers are working with the A10 Transport Corridor Study to ensure the development is rolled-out alongside investment in the road, bus, rail and cycle network – which are all due to be upgraded along the important growth corridor.
Urban & Civic is committing nearly £15m of investment to early cycle and bus connections and to support improvements to the local rail station, ahead of a significant contribution towards the final Milton Interchange/ A14 / A10 strategic improvements.
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