Wintringham: Resolution to Grant for 2,800 homes in St Neots


Huntingdonshire District Council has resolved to grant planning permission for a new urban extension at St Neots in Huntingdonshire.

David Lock Associates submitted the Outline Planning Application for Wintringham, part of the Eastern Expansion plans for St Neots, on behalf of Urban&Civic and trusts associated with Nuffield College, Oxford.

The site is established as a location for development in Huntingdonshire’s Adopted Core Strategy (2009) and is part of the St Neots Eastern Expansion Urban Design Framework (2010).

The proposed extension includes up to 2,800 new homes, two new primary schools, health facilities and 63,000 sq metres of new employment space. The application was submitted on 30th October 2017, meaning determination took place within 20 weeks. Terms have already been agreed for the first housebuilder to start work on the project with first occupations targeted for the end of 2019.

Commenting on the outcome, Nigel Hugill, CEO of Urban&Civic said;

“Last night’s decision demonstrates exactly what can be achieved when a Master Developer and a committed Local Authority work positively together. The application, including almost 3,000 new homes, was determined within 20 weeks. In thirty years of large-scale development, I have never known a new strategic application being determined so expeditiously, which is testament to the work of the Design and Project Team, and the constructive relationships we have built up with our statutory partners, the planning authorities and with local communities.”

Andy Fisher, Project Partner on behalf of David Lock Associates commented;

“Delivery of new homes and jobs is a clear priority for planning policy at all levels. This decision is a result of a proactive, sustainable and design-led approach to securing a genuinely mixed-use development. By setting out a clear vision and planning structure and then positively engaging throughout the process with all parties, a great outcome has been achieved in a remarkable time frame.”