An outline planning application has been submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council for 2,800 homes and a new business park in St Neots.

Following an exhibition in the town last month, developers Urban & Civic, have revealed the details of the first phase of their plans which form further expansion of the eastern corner of St Neots behind the railway line.

This application also provides more information about the infrastructure associated with the development and includes two primary schools and “community and retail facilities”.

More than 550 people attended the public exhibiton in October and viewed the plans and the reponse was said to be “warm” with some comments on transport and internal layout fed into the application.

Development director Tim Leathes said: “The interest and engagement we had at the recent events has reinforced our sense that Wintringham is an exciting opportunity to deliver new homes in an attractive setting to the growing town of St Neots.

“The town is one of the best connected in the region, with strong rail and road links. While we know there is concern around some of the current traffic issues, the investment in the A14 and A428 which is going on alongside this development, and our commitment to invest in the local road and bus connections, will go hand-in-hand with creating green corridors for safe cycle and walking routes to help people connect with the station and town centre, to get about safely and connect with nature.”

The site is established as a location for development in Huntingdonshire’s Adopted Core Strategy (2009) and is part of the St Neots Eastern Expansion Urban Design Framework (2010). In 2013, it was subject to a planning application by a former consortium, which was refused and subsequently appealed. The appeal was withdrawn in May 2017 and the consortium disbanded.

Urban&Civic bought into the landowning partnership alongside long-term owners, the Nuffield Trusts, and been appointed development manager. The team has been working through the feedback with statutory partners, local groups and residents to evolve the proposals and develop an aspirational vision which draws extensively on the historic brooks that cross the site, the connections with St Neots, Loves Farm and the surrounding area, and puts green space at the heart of the design.

“Drawing on the strong partnerships we have developed over the last seven years working in Cambridgeshire – including the jobs and skills delivery through the EDGE partnership – we intend to develop this site in a way that maximises the benefits for local people and creates a lasting legacy for the area,” said Mr Leathes.

“We look forward to continued discussions and engagement as the planning process moves forward, and we will continue to work with local authorities, businesses and communities to deliver an exciting sustainable development for the local area.”

The development will form a key part of the eastern gateway to the town and will deliver:

• Up to 2,800 homes.

• 63,500 sqm of commercial space, including R&D and creative space, as well as office and industrial units.

• Two primary schools, with the potential for a temporary primary school to address immediate.

• Community and retail facilities focused on a local and district centre, including health care.

• Access improvements including capacity improvements, new access and landscape setting along Cambridge Road, and access points on to the A428 and Potton Road.

• Associated infrastructure and services.

INFO: The full application is available online: www.publicaccess.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/online-applications/ with reference 17/02308/OUT, where it is also possible to comment on the plans. A summary of the application at: www.wintringham.org. A hard copy summary is available on request from Rebecca at Urban&Civic by calling 01480 277203 or email: Rebecca Britton at rbritton@urbanandcivic.com.