Planning success for Countryside Properties at Glebe Farm

Countryside Properties has achieved a resolution to grant outline planning consent for an inclusive, socially integrated community on a nine hectare site at Glebe Farm, south of Cambridge.

The new development will provide an important ‘gateway' to the city of Cambridge, with a landmark building located at a new entrance to the city from the south. The vision is to create a model urban extension that advances best practice in urban design and residential architecture.

Located south of Trumpington, on the edge of the city, Glebe Farm is one of four major sites earmarked for residential housing in the Cambridge Southern Fringe identified by the Cambridge City Local Plan. Nearby is Clay Farm for which a resolution to grant outline planning permission was achieved by Countryside Properties for up to 2,300 homes last Spring. The area also includes the Group's Cambridge Biomedical Campus, which will be home to the Medical Research Council and next door to Addenbrooke's Hospital.

There will be up to 300 mixed-tenure homes at Glebe Farm including a significant proportion of affordable and key worker housing. There will be a wide range of housing types with most being family accommodation, built to high levels of environmental sustainability. There will be areas of public open space as well as allotments. The single road gateway into the development leads into a small park, reminiscent of a village green.

The masterplan for Glebe Farm reinforces the existing character of the site, successfully integrates it with the surrounding community and promotes high standards of urban design within an enhanced landscaped setting.

John Oldham, Director and Group Chief Town Planner for Countryside Properties, says: "This planning consent is the green light for a much needed housing scheme which will help to provide a very high quality new focus to Cambridge from the south. It will offer an outstanding living environment and the new family houses with gardens will counter the shortage of family housing in Cambridge. Our plans have been strongly guided by local residents and stakeholders so community ideas and aspirations have been built into the plans."

The new community at Glebe Farm is well located in relation to the city centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Trumpington village and the local public transport network. The new Addenbrooke's Access Road will provide the main access into the development from the south. The development will have good access to the new facilities which will be provided at Clay Farm and to public transport links and walking/cycle routes to minimise reliance on the private car.

The masterplanner on the project is PRP Architects. For more information on Countryside Properties development proposals for Glebe Farm visit countryside-properties-corporate.com/glebe-farm.