Final phase of new town to start in two years' time

About 1,000 homes are already occupied in the new town

The government's housing agency has said it hopes work on the third phase of a new town will start in about two years' time.

The first phase of building Northstowe in Cambridgeshire is almost complete, and the second phase is under way.

During an update to councillors, Homes England said phase 3A would be built alongside phase 2.

It is a project highlighted by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as one she wants to see grow quickly.

The town, north of Cambridge, is expected to include 10,000 homes by 2040.

Homes England updated members of South Cambridgeshire District Council on Wednesday.

Outline planning permission for the third phase of work was granted by the council in 2022.

That part of the development is due to include 4,000 homes, two primary schools, shops, parks and sports facilities, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Homes England said the design code it was working on would guide the development for the first 1,600 homes built in the third phase.

The code will need to be signed off by the council before more detailed plans for what the homes will look like can be submitted for approval.

Rachel Reeves, the new Labour chancellor, announced earlier this week that a taskforce would be set up to accelerate development in Northstowe.

During this week's meeting, councillor Peter Fane highlighted the need in the town for more facilities as people moved in.

Dean Harris, of Homes England, said there was a "wider plan to bring those community facilities forward".

Phase two includes the building of the town centre. A civic hub will then be built by the council.