The Chesterton Partnership has selected the blocwork joint venture between Network Rail Property and developer bloc to deliver more than 400 homes around Cambridge North train station.
The partnership, which is led by developer Brookgate, chose the JV to build the new ultra-low car use neighbourhood located two and a half miles from Cambridge city centre.
Plans are already well underway to regenerate the former freight sidings at Cambridge North, with a Novotel Hotel and the One Cambridge Square office building, which is more than 75% let, already successfully delivered on the site.
Masterplan consent was secured last year for the next phase of the mixed-use regeneration scheme, which included outline planning permission for 425 residential units and 53,700 sq m (circa 578,000 sq ft) of commercial space.
Sven Topel, CEO of Brookgate, said: “The residential quarter is a vital part of the vision for creating an open and accessible mixed-use neighbourhood at Cambridge North. Alongside our partners, we look forward to working with Network Rail Property and bloc as they partner to deliver high-quality homes in a sustainable location that supports the continued growth of Cambridge. The vision for the new live/work community at Cambridge North will provide an attractive and vibrant gateway from the station to surrounding areas.”
Robin Dobson, group property director at Network Rail, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to unlock disused railway land and create a new residential quarter adjacent to Cambridge North station. As the largest owner of brownfield land in Great Britain, we are able to unlock strategically important sites such as this as we continue to play a central role in delivering sustainable housing to drive future growth. We look forward to working with all neighbours and key stakeholders such as The Crown Estate to deliver a new neighbourhood which acts as a catalyst to adjacent sites.”
