The University of Cambridge's proposed development to the North West of the city will be instrumental in maintaining the University's long-term success and position on a global stage. It will encourage substantial investment in Cambridge and benefit the region by enabling the University to recruit and retain the best staff and students from around the world.

A fundamental attraction for these new staff - who will be key to the success of research and innovation in Cambridge - will be first rate accommodation. In addition, North West Cambridge will provide housing to meet the needs of the growing graduate student population within the University and the wider community.

Staff housing

Cambridge is a desirable city in which to live, and this is reflected in the local house prices and rental levels. These prices have proved prohibitive to the University in recruiting and retaining key junior research and assistant staff, and the need to address this without increasing the pressure on the local housing has become urgent.

"In order to remain competitive internationally, the University needs to achieve a substantial increase in its provision of housing for its key junior research and assistant staff." explained Professor Ian White, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Affairs.

"The need is also important as the growth of research in the University has led to there being substantially more research staff than academic staff. Many researchers come to Cambridge from outside the region and a significant proportion of those researchers stay for relatively short periods.

"It is important to the University to ensure that the accommodation on offer is attractive so that staff and their families can feel fully part of the University and the wider community as quickly as possible. While some members of staff will move elsewhere after some years, the University hopes that others will wish to remain, and the provision of accommodation in North West Cambridge is therefore intended to be a bridge for those to settle in the city and surrounding region."

Student Accommodation

Graduate education is increasingly important, and an area in which Cambridge must grow if it is to continue to maintain its international reputation. At present the University's colleges will not deliver enough student housing if current rates of provision continue - partly due to limitations on space in central sites.

The University proposes the delivery of accommodation for approximately 2,000 graduate students at North West Cambridge - maintaining close to 100% housing provision for undergraduate students and reaching 90% provision for graduate students.

"As competition for students between universities internationally increases, failing to maintain housing provision will damage Cambridge’s reputation and reduce its attraction." said Professor White.

The wider community

Any development of this scale should ensure that those working and studying within the University should be able to engage with and contribute to the wider community. To address this, the need for owner-occupied housing available on the open market will be essential for the community balance.

Professor White concluded: "The North West Cambridge development will not be viable if it relies purely on key worker housing, academic space, related research space, student and other related uses. Market housing will be of critical importance and plans are in place for a range of facilities for the new community to enjoy - such as a local centre, primary school, nursery, primary health care, and shops."

For Professor White's full article, 'The Need' - click here.