Up to 5,000 new homes could be built on a Cambridge University housing development in Eddington.

Current plans state that approximately half of the homes will be for University of Cambridge key workers, while the rest will be on the open market.

There is existing outline planning permission for 3,000 new homes, but this figure may now rise to 5,000.

As things stand, 1,100 homes on the development are already inhabited and a further 700 are under construction.

The development also offers student accommodation, a nursery, a primary school, a supermarket, and a community centre.

In addition to the construction of new homes, future phases of the project are expected to increase the amount of social and green space, improve infrastructure, complete the Brook Leys Parkland, and introduce underground bins.

Eddington is located next to West Cambridge, an important hub for science, technology, and research. The development seeks to make housing more affordable to attract and retain valuable staff members in a global marketplace. It also hopes to alleviate housing demand elsewhere in Cambridge.

A spokesperson for the Eddington development explained: “By housing university staff in a purpose-built, high-quality neighbourhood, while also adding more homes to the open market, Eddington aims to relieve housing pressure on the city and support the highly successful Cambridge eco-system which provides long-term growth and jobs for the wider area and beyond”.

The proposed developments will be addressed at public consultations, with the first taking place following the Eddington Parkrun today (7/09).

Public exhibitions will also take place at various locations between 24 September and 2 October, including an online exhibition on 30 September.

The meetings will place particular emphasis on “learning lessons” from the first phase of development and will play an important role in shaping an updated masterplan for the site, which is set to be submitted to planners next year.

Matt Johnson, Head of Development for North West Cambridge at the University of Cambridge, stated: “The first consultation events will introduce key elements of the future phases and give residents an opportunity to have their voice heard. Residents will be able to provide feedback through short surveys and feedback forms which will be used to inform the new masterplan.”

“Further consultations will be held later this year and into 2025 before the updated masterplan is submitted to Greater Cambridge Shared Planning next year,” he added.