黑洞社区

The first major tranche of Cambridge University鈥檚 拢1bn city extension proposals have been submitted for detailed planning approval.

Several aspects of phase one of the city鈥檚 biggest-ever planning application, by architects including Wilkinson Eyre, Mecanoo and MUMA, are now being mulled by planners.

The town centre, designed by Wilkinson Eyre and Mole Architects with landscaping by Townshend, is due to be considered by planners on 26 February. Known as lot 1 it features 120 key worker homes, a supermarket and energy centre.

The same meeting will also look at lot 7, by MUMA and Townshend, which includes a community centre and nursery.

Key worker and other housing by Mecanoo and Maccreanor Lavington working with Stirling Prize winner Witherford Watson Mann are expected to come under scrutiny in the spring.

The 150ha North West Cambridge expansion, masterplanned by Aecom and given outline planning last year, is the largest single capital development project undertaken by the university in its 800-year history.

The vision came from the institution鈥檚 need to ensure affordable homes in an attractive community will be available for its staff in the decades ahead.

North West Cambridge will contain 1,500 homes for its key workers, accommodation for 2,000 postgraduate students, 1,500 homes for sale, 100,000 sq m of research facilities and a local centre with a primary school, community centre, health centre, supermarket, hotel and shops.

Over a third of the site will become public open space.

Future lots still being worked up include a primary school by Marks Barfield and a market square, shops and housing by Stanton Williams, which replaced David Chipperfield last year. Two lots of housing are being designed by Alison Brooks Architects and by Cottrell and Vermeulen working with Sarah Wigglesworth, The AOC and Aecom.

The first detailed architectural approval was granted to local practice RH Partnership in December for 320 post-grad student bed spaces.

Roger Taylor, project director of the North West Cambridge Development, said he was pleased by the quality of the designs.

鈥淭he university has been working with the masterplanners and 11 architectural teams to create a new, cohesive urban extension to Cambridge,鈥� he said. 

鈥淭hrough this collaborative approach, the architectural proposals are reflective of the characteristics of the city, integrating high-quality buildings with green open space, which will set the foundations for a dynamic and balanced community.鈥�

Site preparation works have begun and the first key worker homes and student accommodation should be occupied in mid-2016.