Jun 26 2007
A new draft masterplan for Northstowe – the first new town of the twenty-first century – goes on show today, at a series of public exhibitions organised by joint promoters national regeneration agency English Partnerships and Gallagher.
Northstowe will be a high quality and sustainable place for present and future generations to live, work and enjoy leisure time. A total of 9,500 homes are proposed, providing a full range of housing types, including homes for key workers, first-time buyers, shared ownership and those on low incomes to help meet the local need for affordable housing.
The importance of preserving the character of the neighbouring villages of Longstanton and Oakington is recognised by the inclusion of areas of green open space between the villages and the new town.
The increased awareness of the impact of climate change in recent years is one of the reasons the masterplan has been revisited and sustainability will be a crucial element of the new town. Regional Director for English Partnerships John Lewis said,
“English Partnerships and Gallagher have reappraised Northstowe, driven by the need to create a community with renewable energy sources, high energy efficiency, low carbon emissions, water efficiency and waste minimisation. At the same time, it has been necessary to review the housing numbers as the need for new homes in the Cambridge sub-region has continued to grow.”
The draft masterplan takes on board the development principles established by the publication of the binding Inspectors’ reports on South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Northstowe Area Action Plan.
Gallagher Executive Director Alan Joyner said,
“A third of the total Northstowe area will be open space – and large green areas and parks for recreation, sport and leisure are important features of the design. The plans also include a town centre, neighbourhoods local centres, a secondary school, six primary schools, two main employment areas, over 20 children’s play areas and a network of sustainable travel routes to encourage alternatives to the private car.”
Northstowe will offer a vast range of employment opportunities, both in the two main employment areas and in the town centre. The main shopping area will be in the town centre, attracting high street names and a supermarket. A cinema, hotel, leisure, fitness and health centres, restaurants, cafes and bars are also planned.
There will be three neighbourhoods within Northstowe, created by the green seams across the town, which will each have their own local centres with shops, employment and community centres.
Three sports hubs, to the north, east and south of the town, provide almost 24 hectares of outdoor sports area, including grass and all-weather pitches and multi-use courts for tennis and basketball. The plans also include a choice of open spaces for recreation, including parks, lakes, woodland, allotments and children’s play areas.
English Partnerships and Gallagher are asking for the views of local communities and those who may become residents of Northstowe to help shape the final plans – and this consultation is an important step in the process of designing the masterplan. The responses received will help to shape the masterplan as it is finalised in preparation for submission of a planning application to South Cambridgeshire District Council, which is planned for the end of October 2007.