Grosvenor gains consent for 1,200 new homes in Cambridge

  Grosvenor has been given outline planning permission for a new residential-led development on the outskirts of Cambridge.   The development at Trumpington Meadows, on land to the west of the A10 Cambridge Road, comprises 1,200 homes, a primary school, community facilities and a 60ha country park.   It will include 40% affordable housing.     Grosvenor is drawing up the plans with the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association (bpha).   The Joint Development Control Committee for the Cambridge Fringes, made up of councillors from Cambridge city, South Cambridgeshire district and Cambridgeshire county councils, originally agreed outline permission for the development in February 2008, subject to infrastructure agreements.   External funding to support the development was given by the Homes and Communities Agency, together with a £4.5m loan from Cambridgeshire Horizons, to be repaid when houses are sold.   The scheme will also comprise contributions to the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, a new access road to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, as well as contributions to community facilities including education and healthcare.   Alan Baker, chair of the Joint Development Control Committee for the Cambridge Fringes, said: “This development could make a significant contribution to meeting the pressing need for additional housing in Cambridge – for nearly 8,000 housing applicants on the city council’s housing list and for many of the 40,000 people who commute into Cambridge each day to work.” A detailed planning application for the first 300 homes is to be submitted after Christmas, and work could begin by mid-2010.   helen.roxburgh@egi.co.uk