Applications lodged for pioneering eco-town

Planning applications have been submitted for the new settlement in Cambridgeshire which has been designed as a forerunner of the Government's programme of ten eco-towns.

Joint promoters English Partnerships (EP) and Gallagher lodged the documents for the new town of Northstowe with South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The proposals involve around 9,500 new homes, a town centre, employment areas and schools for a community of up to 24,000 people.

Four planning applications have been submitted: one in outline for the new town and three full applications for the highway links to Northstowe and for highway improvements to the A14 corridor.

The developers have stressed that sustainability is a fundamental feature of the new town which will incorporate a range of measures to provide increasing levels of energy, water and waste efficiency throughout the life of the development.

"Northstowe will be an exemplary development in many ways," said English Partnerships regional director John Lewis. "The plans represent high standards in every area, including design, public transport, cycling, employment, water and flood management, energy efficiency and extensive green open spaces, which involve over a third of the total area for Northstowe."

He added: "These applications will set the standard for best practice in design, viability and sustainability."

EP and Gallagher have been working together on the Northstowe project since 2006. The scheme is centred on the site of the former Oakington Barracks, bought from Defence Estates in early 2006.

Access planning application details on the South Cambridgeshire District Council website

Roger Milne

10 January 2008