Waterbeach New Town was allocated for development in the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan (2018).
To support the delivery of the new town, a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted by South Cambridgeshire District Council in 2019. The SPD provides guidance on how the new town should be designed, developed, and delivered in accordance with the Local Plan. It promotes a co-ordinated and comprehensive approach to development, ensuring that homes and infrastructure come forward together across the site.
The New Town
The new town is being developed in 2 main parts:
- Western half: this includes the site of the former army barracks, which is owned by the Ministry of Defence. Their development partner is Urban&Civic (U&C).
- Eastern half: this is being promoted by RLW Estates on behalf of the landowners. It covers the area to the east of the former barracks.
Planning progress
Western Parcel (Urban&Civic)
- Outline planning permission for up to 6,500 homes, employment space, schools, community facilities, and infrastructure was granted in September 2019
- The development is being delivered in phases, in line with approved design codes
- The Design Code for Phase 1 (up to 1,600 homes) was approved in June 2020
- The first phase of infrastructure works is underway. The first housing scheme was approved in July 2021.
Eastern Parcel (RLW Estates)
-
Outline Planning Permission for up to 4,500 homes, plus other uses and infrastructure was approved December 2024.
Find out more about the eastern and western parts of the new town.
Relocation of Waterbeach Train Station
A new railway station for Waterbeach is proposed approximately 2.4 kilometres north of the existing one, positioned to support the development of the new town.
Following the recent granting of outline planning permission of the Eastern Parcel of Waterbeach new town, the approval includes a requirement for the station to be relocated before any of the new homes are occupied.
The relocation is being led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, in collaboration with Homes England. A full planning application for the new station will be submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council in due course.
How to View the Waterbeach planning applications
The easiest way to see the plans is to use our planning portal and search using the reference numbers below:
Western Parcel (Urban & Civic)
Outline Planning Permission for up to 6,500 homes, plus other uses and infrastructure
Approved: September 2019
(Ref: S/0559/17/OL)
Reserved Matters for 89 homes at Northern Woods was approved: July 2021
(Ref: 21/02400/REM)
Reserved Matters for 111 homes at Parcel 2.1, Eastern Woods was approved: December 2021
(Ref: 21/03866/REM)
Eastern Parcel (RLW Estates)
Outline Planning Permission for up to 4,500 homes, plus other uses and infrastructure was approved December 2024.
(Ref: S/2075/18/OL)
If you don’t have internet access, you can view the plans in person at our office between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Relocation of the Waterbeach Train Station – Pending Submission
Community forum
View the Waterbeach community forum page for more information on the latest forums.