The new Minister for Housing and Planning visited the University’s Eddington development to learn more about the new neighbourhood as an example of a high-quality, sustainable housing project that supports local economic growth.
Matthew Pennycook MP, who was accompanied by Peter Freeman, Chair of Homes England, joined the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation, Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, alongside Director of Estates, Graham Matthews, and Matt Johnson, Head of Development for North West Cambridge, for a tour of the city’s new community.
During the fact-finding visit, Mr Pennycook heard about the innovative design and planning that has gone into Eddington, which is delivering homes, community facilities, and green space, and at the same time creating a vibrant and sustainable place to live.
Central to its planning has been the provision of affordable housing for key worker staff at the University, which will account for 50% of Eddington’s homes. By housing University staff in a purpose-built, high-quality neighbourhood, while also adding more homes to the open market, Eddington aims to relieve housing pressure on the city and support the highly successful Cambridge eco-system which provides long-term growth and jobs for the wider area and beyond.
The Minister also heard about how Eddington and the nearby Cambridge West Innovation District are critical parts of the University’s plans for sustained economic growth in Cambridge. The University is driving forward the Cambridge West Innovation District and the Eddington housing development together, as part of a coherent vision for the future of the city.
Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Housing and Planning Minister, and the Chair of Homes England, and to show them around our exciting new development. They were interested to hear how the neighbourhood has been designed with sustainability at its heart, and how it helps support Cambridge as a world-leading hub of innovation, benefitting the community and providing growth for the national economy.”
Mr Pennycook later visited Cambridge Biomedical Campus where he was joined by Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, in hosting a roundtable on infrastructure and growth in Cambridge.
Matt Johnson, Head of Development at North West Cambridge, commented: “We were delighted to host Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook at Eddington. The Eddington Development is vital to the future of our city and in supporting the academic and social goals of the University of Cambridge. We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our community to the minister as an exemplar in placemaking and sustainable development.
“We are currently developing our plans for the future phases and we’ve just started our engagement with local stakeholders on how to build on the successes of Eddington as a sustainable and vibrant community.”
Proposals for the future phases of the Eddington development will be discussed at the first round of public consultations this month. For dates and venue details visit the Eddington website.
Also published on the University of Cambridge’s website.