South Cambridgeshire District Council has granted planning permission for up to 4,500 new homes at Waterbeach New Town East, marking a major step in the development of the area into a new town.

The outline permission, issued to RLW Estates, includes plans for housing as well as business, retail, community, leisure and sports facilities. The project will also provide new primary and secondary schools and a sixth form centre. Combined with earlier approval for 6,500 homes by developer Urban&Civic, this latest decision completes the vision outlined in the council’s 2018 Local Plan for the new Waterbeach settlement.

The original planning application was approved in principle by the council’s Planning Committee in January 2021, subject to infrastructure agreements and conditions. These included commitments to affordable housing, new schools, and community facilities secured through a Section 106 agreement.

Progress on the project faced delays due to concerns raised by the Environment Agency over water supply adequacy. Cambridge Water’s plans to meet future demand prompted the agency to object to the application. To address these concerns, the Water Scarcity Group, established in 2023, brought together local stakeholders, including the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, to work toward a resolution.

In November 2024, the Environment Agency withdrew its objection, recommending the imposition of specific conditions to address water supply challenges.

One significant condition of the approval is the relocation of Waterbeach Railway Station, which must be completed before any new homes are occupied. The Greater Cambridge Partnership, in collaboration with Homes England, has taken responsibility for delivering the station relocation.

With these challenges resolved and conditions in place, the council has now given the final go-ahead for the project, paving the way for significant housing and infrastructure development in Greater Cambridge. This approval marks a critical milestone in the delivery of a sustainable and vibrant new community at Waterbeach.

Image: LDA Design

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