Community Forum (16th October 2025)

Updates on Darwin Green, Franklin Gardens, and Eddington
By Quentin |
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Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/notebook-1226398/

The North West and West Cambridge Community Forum held a meeting on 16th October 2025, with Barratt and different stakeholders reporting on the progress on the development. This was a hybrid meeting, with physical and remote attendees. In time, the recording of the meeting should be published on the Forum’s page (see previous link, Section “Meeting notes and presentations” at the bottom of the page). Here are some notes from the meeting.

For previous updates, see the report from the previous Community Forum.

The video recording of the meeting is available on YouTube.

Please keep in mind that these are the notes from attendees. They may be incomplete, inaccurate, and were not validated by Barratt or Eddington representatives.

Greater Cambridge Local Plan

Previous notes

Observations

The Greater Cambridge Local Plan has been under development for approximately 5 years and is due to set policies until 2045 for both Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.

Officers have been reviewing materials and evidence has been prepared to support the next stage of the application. The Regulation-18 stage of plan-making is approaching, which will allow for Council and community feedback on the draft joint local plan. A consultation is expected to run from the beginning of December 2025 until the end of January 2026. More details will be available on the Council’s social media channels.

Questions and answers

  • The government pulled out support for relocation of Cambridge water recycling centre (as was announced in August), and residents wonder about the impact of that decision. The local plan has been reviewed and adjusted accordingly; there is confidence that the update is sound, residents are encouraged to review the documents when consultations open.

Darwin Green 1

Previous notes

As of 1st September 2025, there are 556 dwellings occupied in Darwin Green 1. Phase 2 is now 75% complete and Phase 3 is 50% complete. Phase 4 is due to start in 2027/2028.

Facilities

Library:

  • Pre-handover inspection has taken place.
  • Legal documentation for the lease of the building to Cambridgeshire County Library Service is progressing.
  • Expected timeframe: 1 month for transfer completion, then a further 6 months for the Council to fit out the building.

Health centre:

  • Detail design for fit-out contract work is progressing.
  • Legal documentation for the lease of the building to NHS Property Services and the local doctor’s surgery is being prepared.
  • Basically, “in the system”, to be delivered. Expect updates at the next forum meeting.

Sports Pavilion:

  • Final works to the building are complete, snags are being addressed.
  • Legal documentation for transfer of the building to the City Council is progressing, with the formal transfer date programmed for end of November 2025.

Tennis courts:

  • The work is complete, legal documentation for transfer to the City Council is progressing, with a formal transfer date envisioned for October/November 2025.

Sports pitches:

  • Final work is progressing, with final handover date for end of October 2025.
  • Legal documentation for transfer to the City Council is progressing.
  • Formal transfer date programmed for October/November 2025.
  • Some potential misses remain to address, it’s currently under discussion.

Allotments:

  • Pre-handover site meeting was held on 15th October.
  • Legal documentation for transfer to City Council is progressing, with transfer date programmed for October/November 2025.

Community building:

  • An overheating issue is being addressed, with work scheduled for November/December 2025.

Retail units:

  • Re-marketing of retail opportunities is in progress.
  • Selection of “preferred tenants” expected around January 2026. Barratt wants a cohesive group of tenants.
  • Occupation planned for end of spring 2026.

Questions and answers

  • There have been concerns regarding the height and location of residential units at the boundary on Woodlark Road and the end of Sherlock Road. Following surveys, it appears the position and height are in accordance with the planning permission.
  • Regarding ground levels on Parcel 2, no further action is currently being undertaken. Barratt is comfortable with the current position of the buildings.
  • The maintenance path behind Woodlark Road is to get a 1.5-metre-high fence with a gate at the back. There is a conflict between practicality requirements and the ecological performance of the hedge. Barratt needs to talk further with the relevant officers and is open to revisiting the current design.
  • Residents wondering where to park their vehicle when coming for the sports facilities are advised they can use the parking near the Pavilion. The car park has 20 spaces and bike parking. There will be no parking charges.
  • As for the supermarket site, the consortium of land owners is having ongoing commercial discussions, with Barratt assisting any movement on that front.

Franklin Gardens

Progress

  • The development is progressing well, 188 dwellings have been sold.
  • NHBC 9-month surveys have been received, with excellent feedback overall, and positive customer comments.
  • Development update:
    • The current piling work is nearly complete, some more work should take place in spring but not on boundary with any houses.
    • Allotment 3 has been delivered.
    • Materials store is being relocated away from the East boundary.
    • The play area between the two parcels (BDW5 and BDW6) should open early next year.
  • The current target for completion is June 2027.

Questions and answers

  • Residents expressed frustration about the infill planting of the hedge, noting that since 2016, every meeting has promised this would be done. Barratt acknowledged the frustration and explained the work was coming at last, with expectations that it should be completed between now and Christmas.
  • As for the intersection between BDW5 and Brownlow Road, the survey work has been carried out on the link where vehicles have been consistently parked. Information has been fed back to engineers from the Council. Work is being designed and should be carried out around Christmas if possible.
  • On the matter of landscaping compliance, a landscaping architect has carried out an audit. With the planting season coming, work is expected soon.
  • Residents asked about the adoption of King’s Court roads and footpaths. Barratt has just received a quotation to update the drainage. Once that work is done, they will move on to any maintenance work for servicing of the road. Everything is in place and progressing, this should happen early next year.
  • A new website for updates on the development and issue reports has been commissioned, it should feature a smart map for indicating the precise locations of issues in the development.

Darwin Green 2 & 3

Previous notes

Contrary to the last meeting, there was no update dedicated to the primary and secondary schools planned for Darwin Green 2 & 3.

  • The key focus for now is the design code (working on the “four C’s”: climate, community, character, and connectivity). A connection meeting with the local authority took place, with upcoming meetings to be set up. A testing day is planned to run through the design code document to ensure it works and that everybody can use and understand it. Another community drop-in session is being planned for November 2025.
  • Condition 8 requires submission of a phasing plan to the Council, which should be submitted shortly. The development will be delivered in 4 phases:
    • Phase 1 is about infrastructure work and should begin early in 2026. This includes servicing for school sites.
    • Details for subsequent phases are to be confirmed through Reserved Matters applications.
  • Condition 10 requires a youth and play strategy. The plan is expected to be submitted in October/November 2025.
  • A site-wide public art strategy is in progress.

Questions and answers

  • Residents would like to know what Barratt plan to do to avoid disastrous service quality from Resident Management Companies (RMCs) to occur again. Barratt is very mindful of the issues that arose in Phase 1 and does not want to reproduce them. They are trying to learn from past mistakes, but they pointed out they are not yet at the stage of selecting RMCs for Darwin Green 2/3.
  • On the same topic, residents asked whether Barratt has any responsibility (legal or moral) in the way RMCs have acted. Barratt committed to providing a written reply.
  • The discussions for the Reserved Matters for the Country Park are at an early stage. The design document should be submitted later this year or next year. The consultation in November will play a role. The Country Park should come early in the process.
  • There are no plans for the derelict Impington Farm yet.

Eddington

Previous notes

Overview, consultations

An outline planning application has been submitted for up to 5,650 homes in total across all Eddington phases, with 1,850 houses built or under construction in Phase 1, and the remaining 3,800 homes in future phases, with 50% affordable housing for University key workers. Key documents are available on Eddington’s website.

All matters are reserved except for access. The priority is for active and sustainable travel, with new accesses off Huntingdon Road.

To comment on the planning application, submit feedback via the Greater Cambridge Planning website. The planning application references are 25/03746/OUT and 25/03753/OUT. While the consultation period officially runs until 14th November 2025, comments received after that date will still be accepted, as the application will take weeks or months to process.

Information sessions are also being held right after the Forum:

  • Monday 20th October, 11 am - 2 pm, West Hub (JJ Thomson Avenue)
  • Monday 20th October, 6 pm - 7 pm, online webinar
  • Tuesday 21st October, 4 pm - 7 pm, Postdoc Centre (105 Eddington Place)
  • Wednesday 22nd October, 4 pm - 7 pm, Postdoc Centre (105 Eddington Place)
  • Thursday 23rd October, 11 am - 2 pm, West Hub (JJ Thomson Avenue)

Community updates

Eddington Avenue Recreation Ground:

  • Pitches with 3G artificial turf will be installed for all-year-round usability (current pitches cannot be used for regulated sports). The pitches will get lighting for evening use.
  • The new pitches will diminish the area of grass, but biodiversity should benefit overall, as the surrounding areas will get more trees and plants (better than grass).
  • Three tennis courts are to be created.
  • The cricket pitch will be retained for junior use.
  • The area should be designed to complement Darwin Green’s pitches. Expect more intensive pitch use overall.
  • A “community growing” area (for growing plants) will be developed near Garrod Street.
  • Timeline: Reserved Matters Application is being submitted, construction is expected to start in spring 2026 and to complete in spring 2027.

Recent activities:

  • One retail unit left to let, with several parties interested (food/drink), expected to be let by the first quarter of 2026.
  • Summer carnival attracted over 3,000 people, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the school.
  • The Icon building is finally completed.

Upcoming events:

  • Winter event will take place on 29th November 2025 in Eddington. Community groups interested in being involved should reach out.

Questions and answers

  • Regarding the access to M11 from Huntingdon Road: Currently, access is through Eddington, which wasn’t the original plan. At the moment, no new road is proposed. Eddington is considering how car traffic will be controlled into the development, but must assume the current situation will remain the status quo for the time being.
  • Eddington’s Health Centre will likely collaborate with Darwin Green’s, as they depend on the same entity under the NHS, though Eddington is not managing this directly.

Community development

Previous notes

Latest activities include the drop-in workspace now being open all day on Mondays, the summer holiday events, the Community Focus meetings, toy swaps, …

Future events include half-term holiday lunch, planning Christmas activities (carols, tree and lights), or the next Community Focus meeting about “Feeling Safe in Darwin Green” on 12th November, 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

Questions and answers

  • Given that Eddington’s assistance to the community will soon depend on South Cambridgeshire Council and Darwin Green depends on City Council, there are questions about the liaison between Eddington and Darwin Green for future coordination. The teams know each other well, and the hope is that coordination will continue, with lots of communication between the teams.

Next meeting

The next North West and West Cambridge Community Forum should take place on 26th February 2026 (to be confirmed).