A DRAFT masterplan for development of the 9,500-home new town of Northstowe, east of Huntingdonshire, will go on show for the first time on Friday (June 22). The promoters, the national regeneration agency English Partnerships and developers Gallagher, ar

A DRAFT masterplan for development of the 9,500-home new town of Northstowe, east of Huntingdonshire, will go on show for the first time on Friday (June 22).

The promoters, the national regeneration agency English Partnerships and developers Gallagher, are asking for the views of local communities to help shape the final plans for the new town, based on the disused airfield near Oakington. Copies of the latest edition of Northstowe Update are being distributed this week to over 16,000 local residents and businesses to publicise the exhibitions.

English Partnerships regional director John Lewis said: "Northstowe is being designed as a high quality, sustainable town for future generations to live, work and relax. In total, 9,500 homes are proposed, of a range of sizes and types - all of which will be designed to high environmental standards and including homes for key workers and first-time buyers."

The masterplan takes on board the development principles established by the publication of the binding Inspectors' reports on South Cambridgeshire District Council's planning policies for the new town.

Representatives from English Partnerships, Gallagher and members of the project team will be available to explain the plans and to answer questions. Feedback comment forms will be available, and 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 in October 2007, the developers said.

Gallagher is also behind the 1,250-home Loves Farm development, east of the railway line in St Neots.

INFORMATION: The plans can be seen at Longstanton Village Institute on Friday from 4pm to 8pm and on Saturday from 10am until 2pm, Oakington Primary School on Monday June 25 (5-8pm), Cottenham Village College on Tuesday June 26 (4-8pm), Willingham Ploughman Hall on Thursday June 28 (4-8pm), Swavesey Village College on Friday June 29 (4-8pm) and Cambridge Guildhall on Saturday June 30 (10am-2pm).