200 homes for south of Cambridge recommended for approval

A development of 200 new homes on the southern edge of Cambridge has been recommended for approval by council officers.

Cala Homes (North Homes Counties) Limited has applied to build the homes at Netherhall Farm off Wort’s Causeway.

Councillors will decide on the plans on 24 April. It follows outline permission, which was granted in 2022.

Cala Homes says it will create an “inclusive and well-designed” development featuring 76 one and two-bedroom flats, 22 two-bedroom houses, 51 three-bedroom houses, 49 four-bedroom houses and two five-bedroom houses.

Eighty affordable homes will be included through a mixture of social and affordable rented homes and shared ownership properties.

There were 10 objections, including claims of overdevelopment and anger that green belt land was being developed.

But the developer said there would be “significant benefits”, telling the city council in planning documents: “This is an inclusive and well-designed proposal which has evolved through extensive stakeholder consultation.

“The quality of the homes, the wider place-making credentials and the adaptability to meet future housing needs are key aspects of these reserved matters which Cala Homes intend to deliver as soon as the requisite permissions are in place.

“There are significant benefits associated with the proposed development and these include the delivery of 200 new homes, 80 of which are to be delivered as affordable housing.”

The developer promised the “generous provision of open space and biodiversity enhancement” along with “high quality landscaping and architecture” in a “scheme that sensitively responds to the green belt and is within the parameters approved at the outline stage”.

Amid concerns over water scarcity, the developer has promised “sustainability and water measures going beyond the requirements of planning policy”.