Work begins on Unity Centre at Northstowe
A groundbreaking ceremony has marked the start of construction of the Unity Centre, the permanent community centre for phase one in Northstowe.
Contractor Kier expects it to built by early 2026.
It will host a range of community activities, events, and services, with a a large multi-purpose hall, a foyer/café, kitchens, a base for town council staff, consultation and meeting rooms, a free-range shared space for community use and co-working, a micro library area and flexible activity space for arts and crafts, workshops or other messy or noisy activities, connected to a secure courtyard garden.
The toilets will include a disabled-friendly changing places facility with features including an adult-size changing bed and a hoist for safe lifting.
It will be built to Passivhaus principles, meaning it will be highly insulated and a low energy demand.
There will be solar panels and ground source heat pumps, plus green roofs and hedges and trees with bird/bat boxes and bee houses outside, along with 70 bicycle spaces.
South Cambridgeshire District Council has contributed £6.5million towards the project, with a further £2.2m section 106 funding from Northstowe’s phase one developer, Urban & Civic.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has also contributed via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The event was attended by Cllr Henry Batchelor, lead cabinet member for communities for South Cambridgeshire District Council, local ward councillors, Northstowe Town Council, Ian Sollom, the MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, and representatives from Kier.
Cllr Batchelor said: “I am thrilled that construction of the Unity Centre has begun.
“This facility will provide a pivotal place in bringing people together, further strengthening the already vibrant community spirit Northstowe residents show.
“I am particularly proud that the council funding has ensured that the building will be environmentally friendly and sustainable to run.”
The Unity Centre is one of several community buildings that the council is providing for residents.
A temporary community centre, The Cabin, opened in summer 2023 and the Western Park Sports Pavilion, managed by Elite Sports UK, opened in January 2023.
Cllr Natalie Warren-Green, district councillor for Northstowe, said: “The temporary community centre has been a great success.
“Now that we’ve broken ground to commence work on this, I’m looking forward to seeing how the new building caters for the very diverse set of activities currently catered for in the interim building and the scope it has for adapting as Northstowe develops.”
Cllr Tom Bygott, district councillor for Northstowe, added: “Residents have been waiting a long time for this, so it’s great to finally see the community centre’s construction getting under way.
“The community centre will provide a crucial place for people to socialise and enjoy activities.”
Mark Dady, managing director, Kier Construction Eastern and Midlands, said: “This project and community mean a lot to our team, as we recently completed the major expansion of Northstowe Secondary College and the creation of a brand new sixth form.”
