Homes England has appointed Lambert Smith Hampton to kick off a new search for development partners for its £3bn Northstowe site, billed to become the UK’s biggest new town since Milton Keynes.
Northstowe, which is 10 miles north of Cambridge, spans 1,300 acres and is expected to provide up to 10,000 homes.
Development partners will be sought for the second and third phases of the masterplan. Phase one, which has already been built, consists of 1,500 homes delivered by L&Q’s Gallagher Estates.
Phase two was granted planning permission in January 2017, and is set to provide 3,500 homes. Half of it is allocated to affordable housing. It will also include a new town centre, secondary school, special educational needs school, two primary schools and a sports hub.
Previously, House by Urban Splash was appointed to deliver 406 homes in phase 2a, before the modular developer collapsed in 2022. Keepmoat Homes had also been appointed to develop 300 homes in phase 2b.
The town centre aspect includes some 540,000 sq ft of commercial space, including a first parcel known as Central One. A partner will be sought for Central One, which includes a market hall.
The third and final phase of the masterplan, approved in 2022, will provide 5,000 homes. It has been divided into two parcels, with phase 3a providing 4,000 homes across 210ha, plus two primary schools and a local centre. Phase 3b will include 1,000 homes and a primary school.
LSH is searching for several development partners to deliver the site. It will consider various types of tenure, including as build-to-rent and later living.
In 2022, Homes England secured £123.9m of funding to deliver infrastructure at Northstowe. South Cambridge District Council first approved the outline planning application for the new town in 2012.
A spokesperson for Homes England said: “The appointment of Lambert Smith Hampton at Northstowe will provide us with the strategic marketing and commercial advice to help us meet upcoming ambitious milestones.
“LSH brings a wealth of experience and expertise in delivering housing and regeneration schemes and they will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to help achieve our target of delivering sustainable homes and places, maximising their positive contribution to the natural environment and local community.”
The project has faced controversy in recent months. Last year, its existing residents reportedly complained they were still waiting for shops, cafés and GP surgeries and other commercial aspects after moving in six years previously. At the time, its developers said a temporary community centre was open, as well as outdoor recreation facilities.
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