Northstowe

Key facts

  • Joint bid led by Cambridge Uni. Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Homes and Communities Agency.
  • 10,000 homes.
  • Brownfield development – built on the former RAF Oakington base and surrounding farmland between Cambridge and Huntingdon.
  • Timeline: 20 years with first occupation in 2017.
  • Region: Midlands & East.

Vision

The NHS, local authorities and Homes and Community Agency (HCA) are working together to develop a healthy new community over the next 20 years at Northstowe, one of the largest planned new communities in more than 50 years, situated five miles North of Cambridge. Excellent transport connections to the rest of Cambridgeshire are provided through the guided busway which also has integrated cycle routes. Connectivity to the rest of the country is provided via the major road networks (A14, A1, M11) and this will be enhanced by the A14 upgrade, due to be completed by 2020. In addition to 10,000 new homes the town will feature a range of community facilities. This will include: a new town centre; health facilities; up to eight new schools; community facilities; places to work and plentiful green space. As a healthy new community Northstowe will aspire to: provide housing fit for an ageing population; to treat more people locally in the community; and to tackle obesity through providing inclusive neighbourhoods with good cycling \ walking connections and excellent access to facilities and open space. With many more major growth sites coming forward in Cambridgeshire the Healthy New Town initiative will provide learning to be applied directly within the county as well as contributing to the national picture.

Priorities

  • Coping with an ageing population.
  • Addressing obesity.

What have Northstowe done so far?

  • Developed a Healthy Living, Youth and Play strategy (pending sign off).
  • Co-location of non-medical advice (Citizen’s Advice Bureau) in Longstanton branch practice.
  • Produced a research report on older people’s housing needs.

What do Northstowe plan to do in the future?

  • Demographic modelling of needs and health profile of residents.
  • Co-location of health and community facilities in a community wing, and full transition plan for primary care.
  • Complete scoping of contract for primary care at scale.
  • Finalise design of health campus / community hub including library, housing services, social prescribing etc.
  • Develop individualised travel plans for new residents, funded by £75k section 106.

Links to relevant websites and social media