Planning application

The University’s submission

The University of Cambridge has now submitted its plans to the local planning authorities, Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The application contains the University’s proposals to create a vibrant new community of housing, employment and local services. This will help meet the University’s future research and accommodation needs and enhance the local area.

If the application is successful it will enable the University to plan for its accommodation and research needs over the next 20 years and maintain its world class status.

In preparing the plans the University has consulted widely with its local communities and key stakeholders. This has helped to ensure that the final proposals are for a development which meets the University’s requirements, enhances the local area with high quality facilities and addresses the wide range of issues raised by local people.

What is in the application?

The University is seeking outline permission for 1,500 homes for its key workers, accommodation for 2,000 postgraduate students, 1,500 homes for sale, 100,000 square metres of research facilities and a local centre with a primary school, community centre, health centre, supermarket, hotel and shops. Over one third of the 141 hectare site will become public open space, accessible to everyone.

The application, if approved, will establish the principle of the University’s proposals. More detailed applications will then need to be produced for each phase of the development.

You can see both the application and a summary on this website. You can see the proposals on the websites of Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Hard copies of the application and supporting documents can also be seen at the offices of both councils.

What happens next?

The local planning authorities have now finished their public consultation on the University’s proposals to help inform their decision making. This ran from 27 September to 04 November 2011. The responses they have received will be used to inform the report to councillors considering the application in early 2012.

If you have any specific issues or questions you wish to raise directly with the University's project team, please do so using the contact form.