Northstowe, the major new town planned for the north west of Cambridge, reached a significant milestone as the planning application was submitted for a first phase of 1,500 new homes and related facilities.

Over the next 20 years Northstowe will provide up to 10,000 new homes as well as new schools, employment areas, a town centre and other community services on the old RAF Oakington Barracks site and surrounding land of approximately 480ha. The project will make an important contribution to the economic growth of the Cambridge area.

A refreshed Northstowe-wide framework master plan has also been submitted which provided an updated approach to the planning and delivery of the new town. This framework master plan will continue to ensure that Phase One and subsequent phases are wholly integrated.

The application and master plan follow some intense public consultation in October 2011 where the Joint Promoters of Northstowe - Gallagher and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), asked the public for their views prior to working up the proposals. The greatest number of comments about the plans related to the need for the A14 to be upgraded and reducing congestion.

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In the Autumn Statement which followed, however, George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, pledged cash for ‘improvement to the A14 between Huntingdon and Cambridge. The commitment was to invest £20 million immediately on the A14, plus engaging in the A14 Challenge which states it will look at long-term improvements to the A14 and key routes around it.

Phase One is located at the northern end of the proposed area, adjacent to Longstanton Park & Ride on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway. It will provide 1500 new homes and a number of local and strategic facilities for the town including a primary school, sports hub and other areas of open space, a local centre with shops and community uses and a site for a Household Recycling Centre. The land for Phase One is under the control of Gallagher.

Alan Joyner, Executive Director of Gallagher Estates, said: "Northstowe will be built to high sustainability standards and will make an important contribution to the provision of market and affordable housing and economic growth in South Cambridgeshire. We are looking forward to continuing the positive dialogue we have had with the local authorities and local communities and we will all be working towards the planning application being determined before the end of the year."

(CD/GK)