Public to have say on new town plans for Waterbeach which will be home to 25,000 people

A new town at Waterbeach with an expected 8,000 to 9,000 new homes, and an anticipated population of about 25,000 people, is on the way.

The new town will have its own railway station, from where commuters will be able to reach Cambridge central station in seven minutes, as well as a “vibrant” town centre, schools, and shops.

Today (September 5) South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet approved a supplementary planning document (SPD) for public consultation. From Friday, September 14, until October 26, people will be able to have their say on the scheme, and bring up any concerns they may have about the major new development.

Cllr Aidan Van de Weyer, south Cambridgeshire’s lead cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: “This is a huge project and it is vital for the future of the district.”

Stephen Kelly, joint director of planning and economic development, said: “We are working on a set of questions to help people to focus on the important aspects of the consultation.

“This is a consultation we want to be meaningful and we want to help the community to understand the proposals.”

The scheme’s SPD says that walking and cycling should be prioritised within the new town in a bid to reduce the use of private cars. There will also be an on-site Park and Ride.

Cycle routes to Cambridge and linking to neighbouring communities should also be part of plans put forward.

Developers must contribute funding to “strategic transport improvements that could include on or off line dualling of the A10”, as well as upgrades to the junctions on the A10.

Developers will also be asked to make contributions to improvements to the Milton Interchange, and to new public transport and cycle links to Cambridge.

A drop-in session for residents to ask questions and look at plans will be held in Waterbeach. A date and venue are yet to be confirmed.