Frequently Asked Questions

Cambridge is growing fast and ear-marked for further growth by the Government as a world-leading location for higher education, technology and innovation. The city and the University have always depended on each other for their mutual success. In order to retain and attract new staff and provide facilities for new areas of research to maintain its world class status, the University must provide new research buildings and housing. In particular there will be a need for new affordable housing to meet the requirements of highly skilled workers. All this will be provided for at the North West Cambridge site. 

 

Click here to find out more about why the site has been proposed >

The benefits to local residents are many, but perhaps the main one is that North West Cambridge will contribute major infrastructure improvements in the area, including provision for both pedestrians and cyclists.

 

Other benefits include new housing, half of which will be much needed affordable housing for key worker staff at the University and Colleges. There will also be new community services such as a primary school, health centre nursery and leisure facilities, together with local shopping opportunities. There will be access for residents to the green open areas running through and adjacent to the site.

 

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There will be various types of living accommodation on site. The housing will be built to new sustainable design standards. Half will be accommodation for University and College employees (key-worker affordable housing, mainly for research and support workers at the University and Colleges) and half for private housing, to be built by housing developers. The latter homes will be sold on the open market and are likely to include a variety of family-sized homes. In addition there will be post-graduate accommodation, comprising en-suite study bedrooms with communal facilities attached.

The buildings will be designed to the highest possible standards both in terms of sustainability and also aesthetically to complement neighbouring areas. It is envisaged that a range of architects with complementary styles will be selected to produce detailed plans under design guidelines agreed with the local authorities as part of the outline planning approval process. Architects have yet to be appointed but as soon as they are, and when designs have been produced, information will be made available on this web-site and elsewhere for local people to comment on.

Yes, we plan to include a supermarket as part of the community facilities on the development. No decision has yet been taken on its size as this depends on the outcome of studies commissioned by the local authorities which has been undertaken by independent consultants. We do however want to try to ensure that the supermarket is large enough for residents to do their weekly shop locally without having to get in their car and drive around Cambridge to other supermarkets.

 

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This is a long-term project. In 2009-2011 the University refreshed the Masterplan for the area, based upon the new Area Action Plan adopted by the planning authorities. In September 2011 the University submitted a planning application. If permission is obtained from the planning authorities the University will then submit applications on the reserved matters in 2011-2012. The development will take place in phases depending on the University’s needs and the market conditions. The different phases of the residential element are likely to take between 8 and 9 years. The research buildings will be developed in phases over a 15-20 year period.

 

Click here to view a timetable for the project >

Cyclists will be extensively catered for at the new development with dedicated cycle routes within the development area and improved links to the city centre. Through the centre of the site will run The Ridgeway a high quality cycle path which will allow cyclists to move safely through the site from Girton Road to Storey's Way. It is our intention to reduce significantly car usage in North West Cambridge, encouraging people to use bicycles both for leisure and for work.

We understand the concern amongst some residents about existing traffic congestion in some areas of the city. Traffic flows have already been considered as part of the AAP. When the planning application is submitted it will include detailed assessments regarding the existing and predicted traffic flows in the area for consideration by the planning and highways authorities.

 

This will enable suitable infrastructure to be developed to assist traffic in the area. Importantly, we are committed to creating a sustainable development where the car is not necessarily the first choice of transport for residents in North West Cambridge. Emphasis will be placed on efficient public transport options and schemes to make cycling and walking easy and enjoyable for local residents.

There will be large areas of open space throughout the development, not just the central open space. The spaces will be used for a variety of activities. Some areas will be given over to specific activities such as sports playing fields or children’s playing areas. Other parts will be earmarked for general amenity space for activities such as dog walking. Some spaces will be set aside for ecological reasons, to promote bio-diversity in the area. Special attention will be paid to the Traveller’s Rest Pit Site of Special Scientific Interest and plans will be put in place for the management and protection of all these areas.

 

Click here to read more about the benefits to the environment of the site >

Studies have already been carried out on noise and air pollution to which the site may be exposed and further work will be carried out as part of the planning process. Measures will be put in place to mitigate any adverse effects of noise pollution. Residential buildings will be located away from air pollution generated from traffic on the A14 or M11.

It is likely that contractors’ vehicles will enter the site area via the main A14 or M11 roads, but detailed arrangements will be agreed with the local authorities and highways authorities as part of the planning process. Contractors will be signed up members of a Considerate Contractors Scheme, and we will have discussions with the Highways Agency as to the best on-going arrangement for managing the routes for lorries during the construction process.

Yes, we will preserve the Traveller’s Rest Pit Site and a plan will be put in place for its management and protection. Natural England has produced a revised area for the geological Site of Special Scientific interest, which will form part of the overall proposals for the area.

A large amount of archaeological investigation has already been undertaken on site under an agreement with the County Council’s archaeological department. This will inform any further archaeological studies that will need to be conducted on site in advance of construction work. Click here to see a summary of the survey.

Following the Government's decision not to proceed with the upgrades of the A14 the University has been holding discussions with the Highways Agency and the local highways authority (Cambridgeshire County Council. The University is producing a revised transport strategy that will acceptable to both authorities. This will include at a range of measures to mitigate the impact of any additional traffic generated by the development. This will consist of on-site initiatives to reduce car use and off-site improvements to the local road network. These should ensure that the development can take place without the need of any A14 improvements,

Yes. The University has a strong record of engaging with local communities and has been working hard to ensure that they have significant input into our proposals before we eventually submit our planning application. We have appointed consultation specialists who have been actively seeking the views of those who live and work in the locality. Various methods will be used to consult with University and College staff and students, local residents and all interested organisations including workshops, meetings, exhibitions and this website. You can see much of the consultation material by clicking HERE and the results of our consultations to date by clicking HERE and then clicking 'Reports'.

 

Click here to give us your feedback on the project >

The University, Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council are all committed to ensuring that the development both maintains and enhances the special character of Cambridge. The University will make sure that the development sits comfortably with neighbouring areas and presents an enhanced gateway on the western approach to the city centre. This scheme will maintain and improve the strategic gap that separates Girton Village from Cambridge.