Community Forum (26th February 2026)

Updates on Darwin Green, secondary school plans, Eddington, and community activities
By Quentin |
Categories:
Tags:


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 26th February 2026, with Barratt and different stakeholders reporting on the progress on the development. Here are some notes from the meeting.

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

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.

General Planning update

Previous notes

The Greater Cambridge Local Plan’s Regulation-18 consultation is closed and officers are debriefing on the results. The plan is now moving to Regulation-19, with a target of summer 2026 for that stage, and an independent examination expected in December 2026.

Two consultations are currently open:

Darwin Green 2 & 3

Previous notes

This section was presented by the principal planning officer for strategic sites at the Greater Cambridge Planning Service (GCSP). Key updates include:

  • A number of site-wide planning conditions are being discharged.
  • The Design Code is now in its late stage. A community drop-in session is planned for 4th March at Darwin Green’s Community Rooms, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
  • The Infrastructure Reserved Matters Application (RMA) comes next, covering key roads and necessary preliminary work. It needs the Design Code to be completed first.
  • The Country Park RMA is in pre-application discussion; activity should ramp up until the summer.

Questions and answers

  • On the Design Code: a testing day is intended to verify that the code can achieve density and quality requirements, while remaining flexible and maintaining sufficient control. The design code is expected to serve for 20 years.

  • Residents raised concerns about the sequence of events: the design code must be finalised before the Infrastructure RMA, which in turn gates progress on the school. Each delay to the design code adds 1–2 months of further delay, yet the school is looking to start its planning application by mid-year. Officers confirmed they are in constant communication with the County education authority and keep assessing the timeline.

  • Later during the session, residents renewed their concern for the secondary school. They asked what physical work is required before the school can be built, and what planning is needed to enable that work. The answer was that a significant amount of work is required to raise land levels and direct drainage towards the Country Park. DG1’s drainage currently runs towards the A14. Large quantities of material will need to be brought in. The RMA cannot be submitted until the design code is finalised. Residents were openly sceptical that the County’s aim of opening the school in September 2028 is achievable and were encouraged to attend the drop-in session on 4th March to learn more about the estimates.

Darwin Green 1

Previous notes

This section was presented by the Project Manager for Darwin Green 1 at Barratt Redrow, and the Planning Officer from GCSP.

Site-wide overview

As of February 2026, there are 675 dwellings occupied in Darwin Green 1: 364 private for sale and 311 affordable dwellings.

Development progress:

  • Parcel BDW2: 65% to roof
  • Parcel BDW4: 50% to roof
  • Parcel BDW3: site start planned for May 2026 (roads & sewers)

Facilities

Library

  • Pre-handover inspection has taken place, legal documentation for the lease of the building to Cambridgeshire County Library Services is with the County Council
  • Handover to County Council projected for April 2026
  • County Council fit-out: 6 months
  • Estimated opening time: October/November 2026

Health Centre

Detail design for the fit-out contract work is progressing; legal documentation for the lease of the building to the local doctor’s surgery is with the future tenant, and works are anticipated to start in summer 2026.

Sports Pavilion

Final works to the building are complete; the contract is complete; legal documentation for transfer of the building to the City Council is progressing, with a formal transfer date programmed for end of April/May 2026.

Tennis courts

Work is complete and facilities are open to the public; legal documentation for transfer to the City Council is progressing, with a formal transfer date programmed for March/April 2026.

Central Park & sports pitches

  • Complete and open, legal documentation progressing; transfer date programmed for May/June 2026
  • Work on fencing to the pond is ongoing; more landscaping is also planned

Allotments (Parcel BDW2)

  • Work is complete, pre-handover site meeting was held on 15th October 2025, legal documentation for transfer to the City Council is progressing, with a formal transfer date programmed for March/April 2026

Community building

  • An option to resolve the meeting room overheating issue has been identified
  • Detail design is progressing; the next stage is contract documentation
  • Works planned for Spring 2026

Retail units

  • Re-marketing of retail opportunities in progress
  • Selection of preferred tenants expected by July 2026
  • Occupation planned for summer/autumn 2026

Franklin Gardens (BDW5/6)

  • A question was raised about interim on-street parking restrictions. Planning conditions approved details for interim visitor bays, but no private enforcement regime is in place as seen on other parcels; the Local Planning Authority (LPA) would like to see uniformity across the development.
  • A planning application has been submitted for some plots to change the wire mesh fence on the eastern and southern boundary to a close board fence.

Other items

Street lighting

A survey of columns and lamps was carried out in Darwin Green and Franklin Gardens, leading to works to repair the lamps in the first week of February. Barratt thought the issue was solved, however, it appears that some lamps are still not functioning, some follow-up will be required.

BDW2 carbon reduction strategy / future low-energy home heating

Residents raised questions about the number of solar panels installed and how this relates to Building Regulations Part L. Planning conditions 21/044312/REM require post-construction certificates (condition 11) and proof of future adaptability for efficient electric use (condition 12). David Wilson Homes state that all but 10 plots on BDW2 were built to 2021 standards, using more energy-efficient materials, which allows for fewer solar panels while still meeting the 2021 standard. Certification demonstrating exceedance of 2021 standards will be provided to the LPA. Homes should have adaptable radiators suitable for a heat pump, space for an external heat pump unit, and a pre-installed hot water tank with pipework.

Woodlark Road drainage ditch

  • A survey of the extent of the ditch was carried out.
  • Quarterly management was carried out in January 2026; brambles have been cut back, and the area nearest to Huntingdon Road is to be reprofiled.
  • Works to the maintenance path area has ceased for now, pending developer public engagement, discussion workshop, and submission of ‘betterment’ details.

Windsor Road Park: amended drawings

Amended drawings for Windsor Road Park (pre-commencement condition 29 for parcel BDW3, application 21/05434/REM, reference 21/05434/COND29) are available on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website (search for the reference). A re-consultation with Urban Design, Landscape & Highways is open until 17th March 2026; interested parties are encouraged to view the plans and submit comments by the same date. Parcel BDW3 is hoping to commence in Summer 2026 once all pre-commencement conditions are discharged.

Drop-in sessions: change of time from April 2026

Starting from April, the first Wednesday of the month drop-in session at the Darwin Green Community Rooms have a new time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Also from April, a new session for newcomers and first-timers - as opposed to Wednesdays’ sessions with recurring matters and that can feel intimidating to newcommers - is being introduced on the first Tuesday of the month, from 10 am to 11 am, at the Community Rooms. Both sessions will include attendance from David Wilson Homes South Mids and Barratts Eastern Counties.

Online questions submitted

The following questions were submitted online prior to the meeting and addressed in writing, including:

  • Several houses on BDW2 already have water damage to the new brickwork: Barratt are surveying.
  • No footpath along the BDW/Woodlark Road boundary fence: site levels still to be checked against the plans.
  • No information about when, where, and for how long visitors can park on site, only penalty notices: better signage is needed.

Questions and answers

  • Drainage ditch retaining wall: Concerns were raised that works near the Woodlark Road ditch were carried out without following the approved planning process. The retaining wall was not in the approved planning design. The Planning Officer reported that upon attending a site inspection, they found the retaining wall in place contrary to the plan. Barratt built it at their own risk and will remove it if residents are unhappy. Residents pressed Barratt on why they departed from the plan unilaterally, and the Council on the point of having plans. The Council’s response was that they cannot monitor sites 24/7 and rely on people reporting issues; now that they are aware, they are looking into the appropriate process.

  • Retail units: Residents asked what shops will be opening and whether any units have been sold. Barratt explained the units are being opened to the market, with preferred tenants selected based on criteria such as no strong odours and manageable delivery volumes. They are looking for artisan/ independent operators (e.g. coffee shops) rather than large retailers. No unit has been sold.

  • Sewer easement alongside the greenway: Residents were reassured that the situation is satisfactory.

  • Pedestrian lane from Franklin Gardens: Barratt will reply online.

Eddington & West Cambridge

Previous notes

This section was presented by the Marketing Manager at Cambridge University.

Planning matters: outline application

A new outline planning application has been submitted for the future phases of Eddington:

  • 3,800 homes, bringing the total to an estimated 5,650 homes
  • Up to 50% affordable housing for University key workers
  • 1,675 student accommodation units, bringing the total to 2,000
  • Over one-third green, open spaces
  • New pedestrian and cycle routes, plus sports and play facilities
  • 100,000 m² of employment space, of which 60% is earmarked for research and innovation, and 40% for mid-tech uses

Sports and amenity

Planning drawings for the Eddington Avenue Recreation Grounds and the Eddington Community Gardens have been approved. Construction is expected to commence later this year, with completion next year. The recreation grounds will feature football pitches, tennis courts, and the existing cricket pitches retained for junior cricket. The community gardens will be designed for community growing.

Development updates

  • An extension for Green Nest has been done.
  • A restaurant was added to the hotel complex.
  • Advanced discussions are underway with the NHS about a GP practice in Eddington; hopefully, we’ll get an update at the next forum.
  • Recent community events: Christmas event. Upcoming 2026 events include a pop-up sports event, the Eddington Beer Garden event in May, and the Carnival in July.

Cambridge West

Planning consent for Cambridge West was granted in summer 2024. The development will comprise 383,000 m² of academic and commercial research space.

Next steps include:

  • Whittle Lab extension opening in summer 2026
  • Cavendish II demolition
  • Cambourne-to-Cambridge transport project, subject to approval

Questions and answers

  • Hydrological impact on nearby homes: Residents asked whether hydrological work was needed to address damage to houses near the road. Engineers found it is probably not linked to ongoing construction works. The necessary drainage work will be done when that part of the site is developed, with steps taken to ensure the development proceeds correctly.

  • Cambridge West and loss of college land: Residents raised concerns about the University losing a significant amount of land to Cambridge West. The University is working with the veterinary school and other stakeholders to ensure they have what they need going forward; it is a premature discussion at this stage.

  • Health centre location: The GP building within Eddington is located beside the basement car park for Sainsbury’s.

Secondary education in North-West Cambridge

This section was presented by the Place Planning & Education Capital Strategic Manager of Cambridgeshire County Council.

Planning

The key stakeholders are:

  • Client: Cambridgeshire County Council
  • Consultant: Atkins Realis
  • Contractor: Morgan Sindall
  • Academy Trust: Meridian
  • Master developer: Barratt David Wilson Homes
  • Local Planning Authority: Great Cambridge Planning
  • Regulation 3 Planning Authority: Cambridgeshire County Council

The school will be funded through:

  • Section 106 (S106) contributions from the Eddington and Darwin Green developers
  • Prudential borrowing from Cambridgeshire County Council
  • Basic need funding from the Department for Education

Here is the proposed timeline:

  • Planning application submitted: August 2026
  • Planning granted: January 2027
  • Start on site: April 2027
  • Practical completion: November 2028

But some key risks have been identified and could potentially delay the work:

  • Darwin Green Secondary’s planning application approval
  • Barratt David Wilson Homes’ Infrastructure Reserved Matters Planning Application
  • Site ownership and status (including land levelling progress and absence of an archaeology study so far)

School design

The Phase 1 site masterplan covers a 2.5-hectare site with a 2.5-storey building. The layout includes a teaching block, a sports block, a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), a playing field, and cycle parking. An offset path will connect the site to Darwin Green 1 for cyclists and pedestrians. Phase 2 will add a further teaching block, an additional MUGA, and an Artificial Turf Pitch (ATP).

Phase 1 will accommodate 600 pupils (six form entry), growing to 900 pupils after Phase 2. A 6-week programme of intensive engagement to shape the internal layout has just been completed.

Questions and answers

  • Sixth form: Whether the school will include a sixth form has not yet been decided.

  • Contingency if the school opens before full completion: The County does not yet have a full answer; plans are being developed for families with children in years 3 and 4, with more information expected by late spring 2026 when site access should be confirmed.

  • Catchment area: The expected catchment is Darwin Green and Eddington. The academy trust (Meridian) will ultimately determine the catchment; the County’s proposed catchment was accepted by the trust, with adjustment possible following community input.

  • UCPS as a feeder school: Not yet determined.

  • Urgency of the school: Residents emphasised the urgency, noting that many families in the area currently have no secondary school to go to.

  • Primary school in Darwin Green: DG1 already has a primary school; DG2 will have both a primary and the new secondary school.

  • Infrastructure dependency: As a follow-up to the discussions during the Darwin Green updates, several residents expressed concern that the infrastructure timeline is too vague and that without visibility of the Infrastructure RMA, a 2028 opening is not plausible. Some suggested that even 2030 seems ambitious at this rate. Two contingency options are being explored: (1) opening the school in temporary or alternative accommodation; and (2) asking other local schools to over-admit to meet demand in the meantime.

Community update

This section was presented by the Community Development Officer from Cambridge City Council.

Recent activities

Thanks were given to all residents involved in community activities. Recent highlights include:

  • Welcome packs for new Darwin Green residents, available at the Community Rooms
  • Events including the Safer Internet Day and a Lego club and board games session
  • Holiday lunches
  • Public living room in Franklin Gardens
  • Community focus meetings with Darwin Green residents
  • Local surveys to find out what residents think

What’s new

  • Walk and Talk and Arts Course in Darwin Green: Friendly twice-monthly gatherings from March to August 2026, on some Tuesday mornings 10:00–12:00, at the Darwin Green Community Rooms. The dates for 2026 are: 17th March; 7th & 21st April; 5th & 19th May; 2nd & 16th June; 7th & 21st July; 4th August. To book a place, email booking@findyourwild.org.

  • Guided Sketching Practice (Evgenia Penman): Every Friday at the Darwin Green Community Rooms, from 6th March to 12th June 2026, at 4 pm.

  • Great British Spring Clean: 13th to 29th March 2026. Litter-picking equipment can be borrowed from Storey’s Field Centre and the Darwin Green Community Centre.

  • Summer Activity Grant: Up to £750 available for community groups, instructors and coaches in Cambridge City. Applications close on 17th April 2026.

  • There will be a new Sports Activator role introduced in Darwin Green this summer.

Questions and answers

  • Building height near the boundary: A resident asked whether the height of buildings near one of the boundaries of the site can be independently verified. The Planning Officer stated that he is relying on BDW surveyors and cannot carry out an independent verification, nor accept the resident’s offer to do it themselves. The resident noted that the concern remains and that the matter may end up in court.

  • No update was available for Barratt’s online platform to report issues on the site, it’s still in progress.

  • The recording of the Forum’s earlier schools meeting will be sent through schools, along with additional information.

Next meeting

The next North West and West Cambridge Community Forum is scheduled for 11th June 2026. The recording of today’s meeting should be available online within 2 weeks.