The scheme, Darwin Green, is located to the north west of the city in an area bounded by Huntingdon Road, Histon Road and the A14. It will include 1780 houses and flats, a primary school and children's centre, retail/service units, supermarket, library, health centre, community café, sports facilities and allotments.
Bidwells has been working with Barrett Eastern Counties and a consortium of landowners including NIAB, Chivers and Christ's, Sidney Sussex and St Catherine's Colleges on the project and Marcia Whitehead from Bidwells says that the process was not straightforward.
“A scheme of this size is always going to involve a lengthy and complex planning procedure, and so it proved. Not only was the whole of Darwin Green originally in the Green Belt but equally challenging were the Section 106 negotiations involving robust arguments to ensure that contributions are properly related to the development itself.
“Fortunately, we were able to work closely with both the consortium and South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridge City and Cambridgeshire County Councils to achieve a result which was acceptable to everyone, thanks in part to the flexibility shown by all parties involved in the process.
“Work on the scheme is already under way with conditions discharge and infrastructure reserved matters applications being prepared and submitted for determination.
“In addition to this first tranche of dwellings, we are also working with the same consortium to complete the project, involving submissions through South Cambridgeshire District Council's Local Plan process and the preparation of an outline planning application. This will give Darwin Green a total of 2800 homes and a significant Country Park.
“This is an exciting new development for the north west of Cambridge and will form an integral part of both the District and City Councils' housing supply.”
Image: Darwin Green - master plan illustration
About Bidwells
Established 175 years ago, today Bidwells is one of the UK's leading property consultancies. We employ almost 500 people in 12 offices across England and Scotland and provide a full range of services across the Commercial, Residential and Rural sectors.
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Bridget Johnson
PR Executive
Marketing Team
Bidwell House,Trumpington Road
Cambridge,CB2 9LD
t: 01223 841841
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Bidwells planning advice integral to Darwin Green success
24 January 2014
Advice from the planning team at leading UK property consultancy Bidwells has proved critical in obtaining outline planning permission for the first phase of a major new urban extension to Cambridge.