Almost 30 of this first batch of homes will be affordable rent, shared ownership, rent to buy and discount market sale, helping local residents step onto the housing ladder.
Stonebond will become the first housebuilding partner on the site, which is being transformed by master developer Urban&Civic on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. The development will create a major new community of 6,500 new homes, 250 acres of green and open space and 5 new schools, health and other community centres and transport investment including a sustainable travel hub and 40km of cycleways.
Housing mix
The Stonebond homes include apartments and houses ranging from one to four bedrooms, built in mews and terraced styles, with some larger detached family homes also available. The homes will be framed by mature woodland on one side and connected to water features and woodland walks to play areas on the other. The homes will also be a short walk away from the new primary school, designed within a safe, car-free area surrounded by woodland, which is scheduled to open in September 2023.
The first homes will also include 28 affordable homes, reflecting the innovative range of Affordable Housing tenures developed with South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Housing team, and managed by Longhurst Group as part of a commitment to ensuring the Waterbeach development provides homes for people with all levels of income.
Sustainability
Sustainable measures built into this all-electric development include vehicle charging points for every house and rainwater harvesting. Stonebond will also be working with Urban&Civic to support local suppliers and sub-contractors where possible throughout the construction period.
Commenting, Andrew Cornelius, Chief Executive of Stonebond, said: “We’re very pleased that our plans at Waterbeach Barracks have been approved and we’re looking forward to working with Urban&Civic at this hugely exciting new community. Delivering more mixed-tenure developments, such as this one, and working with housing providers, local authorities and master developers, are a key part of our ambitious plans for growth.”
Caroline Foster, from Urban&Civic, added: “This is an important milestone for the development of Waterbeach Barracks and Stonebond is the perfect partner to deliver our first homes. It is very exciting to now move these homes forward alongside the landscape and play areas our contractors are already delivering on site. The Stonebond team have worked tirelessly to create bespoke designs which reflect our commitment to sustainability, community and enduring quality and we look forward to welcoming our first residents towards the end of next year.”
The Chair of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Planning Committee, Cllr Pippa Heylings, said: “In Committee, we debated important points raised by residents and Parish Council, this was important as this will be the first parcel of buildings of the development. We are pleased to have supported these plans which will see the first new homes come forward as part of this carefully-planned new town.
“Almost 30 of this first batch of homes will be affordable rent, shared ownership, rent to buy and discount market sale, helping local residents step onto the housing ladder. The scheme will deliver a community that looks nice too; it’s a high-quality design created by an award-winning architect. Protecting the environment is also a key consideration; no gas is planned for the site and instead, there will be air source heat pumps and electric panel heaters. The cycle routes will help provide good links with other parts of the town as they come forward and existing routes within the village of Waterbeach. Each house should be provided with an electric car charging point, and we expect to see planting with a mix of edible fruit trees and wildlife-friendly species too. Half of all buildings are planned to incorporate bird, bat and insect boxes with fences designed to allow animals like hedgehogs to freely move between gardens. All of this shows a commitment to achieve the highest standards in line with our own Zero Carbon and Doubling Nature ambitions.”
The Stonebond team have worked tirelessly to create bespoke designs which reflect our commitment to sustainability, community and enduring quality.
