J Breheny Engineering has commenced initial works for almost 3000 new homes in St Neots, Cambridgeshire.

The contractor is currently installing the initial roads, utilities and drainage systems for the first phase of works, with further plans in place to deliver a cycle, pedestrian walkway and green corridor on the northern side of the site.

Phase one of the Homes England development will include 1,000 new homes, a primary school, community and retail facilities and health care provision.

It is being developed alongside Urban&Civic and Nuffield Trusts at Oxford University with support from a 10 year £26m Home Building Fund (HBF) infrastructure loan.

Aranee Mahadeva, Senior Specialist in Infrastructure and Complex Projects, at Homes England, said: "This project is a perfect example of Homes England working with partners to create a more resilient and diverse housing market. The £26m loan not only accelerates housing delivery but it also enables early delivery of community facilities, which will maximise the potential of a developing town."

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Tim Leathes, Development Director at Urban&Civic, commented: "We are very excited about the design for the first primary school at Wintringham, which will create an inspiring space for learning and the community, at the heart of our first phase. As well as far more practical things like putting in place future-proofed infrastructure and diverting power lines, we will also be introducing new landscaping to mark Wintringham Brook as a feature in the town and create attractive green space for people to enjoy from day one.

"Moving fast, achieving the standards is what Urban&Civic are renowned for and bringing forward all housing tenures from the outset, involves working in partnership. Homes England and the District Council are both playing a major role in expediting high quality delivery."

Sir Andrew Dilnot, Warden, at Nuffield College, Oxford, added: "The combination of the Nuffield Trusts, Urban&Civic and Homes England at Wintringham is a clear example of how the charitable, private and public sectors can work together to bring forward homes and infrastructure as quickly as possible.

"Our partnership with Urban&Civic and this agreement with Homes England highlights our shared vision for the high quality community that will be created here which is an important legacy of our charitable purpose."

The new homes are due to be completed next year, with the primary school scheduled to open in September 2020.

(CM/MH)