Approval for up to 3,800 homes on outskirts of city

Plans to build almost 4,000 new homes on the outskirts of Cambridge have been approved by two councils.

A joint committee of councillors from Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed to proposals for up to 3,800 more homes as part of the next phase of the University of Cambridge's Eddington development.

The development could also create more than 4,000 jobs, according to a report prepared by planning officers.

Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service approved plans at a meeting on Wednesday, subject to a Section 106 agreement, which means its developer would have to help finance local services such as a library and bin collections.

The university originally got permission in 2013 to build up to 3,000 homes at Eddington, with the new approval bringing the total number of homes to 5,650.

Half of the homes in the new phase would be offered as part of an affordable housing scheme for the university's key workers, the university has said.

Approved proposals also included 100,000 sqm of employment and academic floorspace, the plans added.

Anna Philpott, the pro vice-chancellor for resources and operations at the university, said: "I am delighted to welcome this decision, which represents an important milestone for Eddington and for the long-term future of Cambridge.

"These future phases will build on that success, delivering much-needed homes for university staff and students, alongside employment space, community facilities and green spaces that will benefit the whole city."

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