The Joint Promoters of Northstowe, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Gallagher Estates, can now progress the first phase of the new town as the Joint Development Committee approved the section 106 planning agreement in principle.

Northstowe is the biggest proposed new town since Milton Keynes. This exciting project in Cambridgeshire will bring with it jobs and homes for a wide variety of people from the local area and beyond. Northstowe will contribute to the economic growth of the Cambridge area by delivering housing, employment, commercial and recreational facilities.

Alan Joyner, Executive Director for Gallagher Estates who submitted the application for phase one said: "We recognise how important this project is and that it has been a long time coming so we're pushing forward as quickly as we can now to commence development on site as soon as possible. The first priorities for all parties will include the completion of the legal and contractual procedures to enable outline planning permission to be issued for the first phase of Northstowe."


Terry Fuller, Executive Director for the HCA added: "Northstowe is one of the HCA's top priorities so I am really pleased that we have got past this important step in the overall plan to deliver it, and that it has been given the stamp of approval by the Committee. We're determined that this new town will serve the needs of existing and future residents in every respect, and have ensured that design quality is at the forefront of our proposals.

"Now the hard work really starts as we plan for houses to come out of the ground in phase one and also start to develop more detailed plans for the new town to actually take shape. There will be lots of opportunities for the public and interested parties to get involved in each step of the way and we are looking forward to engaging with them as plans develop."

(CD)