The design code which underpins the new Springstead Village development in Cherry Hinton has won a prestigious national award.  

The plans for the flagship project – which is a collaboration between housebuilder Bellway and Latimer, the development arm of affordable homes provider Clarion Housing – won the Excellence in Landscape Planning and Assessment category at the Landscape Institute Awards 2023.

The Cherry Hinton North Design Code was co-created by urban designer and landscape architects McGregor Coxall and architects Pollard Thomas Edwards, who were commissioned by the Bellway Latimer joint venture.

Springstead Village is a project which will deliver 1,200 new homes on a 138-acre plot that was previously part of the Cambridge Airport site. The plans for the development include new schools, a local centre, recreation areas, allotments and public open spaces.

Ulrich van Eck, Project Director for the Bellway Latimer joint venture, said: “It is great that the design code for the development we are building at Springstead Village has won this coveted national award. We must congratulate the teams at McGregor Coxall and Pollard Thomas Edwards for their sterling work.

“The design code will ensure that Springstead Village will develop a strong sense of place with the provision of a market square of shops, community buildings and spaces for play and exercise near every home. The development will bring homes together in small neighbourhoods, each with its own individual character.

“The scheme features slow-speed tree-lined streets and a network of cycleways and footpaths to encourage residents to leave their cars at home. The landscape-first approach incorporates principles of biodiversity and sustainable land use through the provision of green spaces, wildlife protection areas and the preservation of existing natural habitats on site. 

“We take comfort from the fact that the dedication and hard work by so many, resulting in this impressive document, has been recognised by the judges. This further underpins the commitment of the joint venture to its future and current community. 

“In addition, it validates the unanimous approval received from the Joint Development Control Committee for Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service. The latter being very closely involved in the development of the design code and whom also deserves a lot of credit” 

The award was presented at a ceremony at The Brewery in London.

The Landscape Institute Awards celebrate the contribution of landscape designers, managers, planners, researchers and local authorities towards the creation of environments which bring benefits to people and the planet. In 2023, the awards attracted 150 entries across 17 different categories.

Judges in the Excellence in Landscape Planning and Assessment category were looking for designers to demonstrate a clearly defined strategy providing a sustainable concept which makes the most of available resources and space, maximises its impact on human health and wellbeing and brings benefits in biodiversity.

Michael Cowdy, UK Founding Director at McGregor Coxall, said: “We are thrilled that the Springstead Village Design Code has earned the Landscape Institute’s accolade for Excellence in Landscape Planning and Assessment.

“The essence of the Design Code lies in its robust foundation of living infrastructure, weaving climate resilience and societal well-being into the fabric of Springstead Village’s future.

“Central to this project’s triumph was the close collaboration with Pollard Thomas Edwards, Bellway, and the Greater Cambridge Planning teams, a partnership that was instrumental in bringing the Design Code to fruition.

“Our heartfelt thanks go to the Landscape Institute for acknowledging the strategic impact and transformative potential of landscape-led master planning in shaping resilient, vibrant communities.”

To find out more about Springstead Village, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/essex/springstead-village or call the sales team on 01223 081346.

Greg Hill, Deputy Chief Executive of The Hill Group and Richard Howe, Managing Director of Hill Marshall LLP attended a ground breaking ceremony for the second phase of the Marleigh development in Cambridge. In this phase of the development, award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group and their joint venture partner Marshall will provide 421 new homes, including one and two-bedroom apartments and two to four-bedroom houses, catering to a wide range of residents and lifestyles. This ceremonial occasion marked the commencement of work, allowing prospective homebuyers to step onto the property ladder in this new district of Cambridge.   

The Hill Group Marleigh development is a landmark development on the eastern edge of Cambridge, where the earlier construction phase included 547 new homes. Once complete the Marleigh development will consist of a large public square, a community centre, a Co-op, a nursery, a primary school and beautifully landscaped green spaces, alongside elegantly designed new homes. 

Greg Hill of Hill Marshall LLP, who attended the ceremony, said: “Marleigh has already attracted a wide mix of buyers and is developing as a thriving and exciting place to live, with excellent community facilities and attractive green spaces. We thank all our partners, contractors, and stakeholders for working with us on this decade long project and helping make Marleigh a new destination in Cambridge.”

Located off Newmarket Road, Marleigh is designed to blend seamlessly as an extension to Cambridge using an architectural style sympathetic to the area whilst retaining its own distinct sense of place. The new homes are built to the highest eco standards incorporating energy saving and carbon reducing features, including air-source heat pumps and solar panels.

Richard Howe of Hill Marshall LLP commented: “It is fantastic to see work get underway on the second phase of Marleigh, building on the success of the first phase of development. Marleigh makes a significant contribution to the supply of new homes in the area and will become a vibrant new district of Cambridge for generations to come.”

To find out more about Marleigh, visit www.marleigh-cambridge.co.uk

Property & Development Magazine

Cambridge home-buyers seeking the best of contemporary living will have the ideal opportunity when Rubicon, the latest phase of Knights Park by award-winning developer Hill Group, launches this Autumn.

Rubicon is an architecturally striking new scheme where residents will enjoy stylish high-spec apartments looking out over scenic countryside. Designed by world-renowned Alison Brooks Architects, the development features 120 studios, one-to-three bedroom apartments and penthouses set within 123 acres of green space. The project forms part of the thriving new community of Eddington, conceived by the University of Cambridge, less than two miles from Cambridge city centre.

The development’s distinctive buildings with shimmering brick façades in complimentary tones host sleek modern apartments that feature industrial-style glazing and state-of-the-art fixtures and fittings. As well as all apartments enjoying the glorious garden views, some will boast their own private outdoor space while upper floor units feature high-vaulted ceilings that dramatically bring in natural light.

Rubicon is a forward-thinking development that captures the new lifestyle demands of residents seeking to harmonise their work and home life as a result of the increased prevalence of home working. Co-working accommodation includes open areas ideal for generating collaboration or space for business calls, meetings and focussed work. Each space provides functional contemporary furniture, strategic lighting and natural planting, all carefully considered to create an atmosphere where residents can be at their most productive.

Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director for Hill Group, comments: “Rubicon provides the ideal residence for modern living, bringing together architecturally stunning homes set within the perfect landscaped grounds for enjoying life. Hill have also anticipated recent demand for homes where people can have the best of both worlds when it comes to working and unwinding with our co-working accommodation.

As well as its unmatched aesthetic appeal, home-buyers will also appreciate Rubicon’s excellent quality of construction by a 5-star housebuilder and exceptionally high-level of energy efficiency. Indeed, the Knights Park development has already earned Hill a series of awards for its inspired design and commitment to sustainability.

Rubicon is well located to take advantage of Cambridge’s excellent travel connections, with Stansted Airport just 30 minutes by train and Heathrow Airport an hour and a half away by car. Trains from Cambridge Railway Station into Central London take less than 50 minutes, and the station is just an 18 minute bus ride away from Knights Park.

Knights Park is situated in Eddington, a new district just a 12-minute cycle from Cambridge city centre. This new community has been devised by the University of Cambridge with the aim of delivering a brand new neighbourhood for the city with sustainability at its heart and a high quality of life for residents. Eddington offers a range of amenities such as a supermarket, shops and public square for residents to come together. Future facilities include a doctor’s surgery and new Hyatt and Locke hotel, which will launch in October and offer all residents the opportunity to join their onsite gym or visit the roof top bar.

Prices for properties at Rubicon start from £319,950 for a one bedroom apartment, ranging up to £899,950 for a penthouse. For further information visit www.knightspark-eddington.co.uk/rubicon or call 01223 607200.

Property & Development Magazine

For Cambridge homebuyers searching for a new home that effortlessly marries together luxurious living and sustainable lifestyles, award-winning housebuilder Hill’s zero stamp duty collection of penthouse apartments at Knights Park are sure to impress. Enjoying a well-located setting in the heart of Eddington in Cambridge, less than an hour from London’s cosmopolitan capital, buyers who reserve one of the superb homes from the penthouse collection will also benefit from paying zero stamp duty* – making this an opportunity not to be missed.

Located in the brand-new district of Eddington, the inspired creation of the globally recognised University of Cambridge,Hill’s zero stamp duty penthouses at Knights Park guarantee luxury apartment living. With expansive internal layouts and high ceilings that create an impressive sense of space and light throughout every room, private terraces and vast onsite greenspace, as well as access to the capital in under an hour, penthouse living has never been better.

Positioned on the fourth floors of the Florey and Walton buildings, Hill’s zero stamp duty penthouses are flooded with natural light and boast striking views across Knights Park. Featuring expansive open plan kitchen/living/dining areas which extend directly onto large terraces via full height glazed doors, these stunning properties have been completed to a high specification with bespoke German kitchens that come with a range of integrated Bosch appliances. Other features include underfloor heating throughout and high-quality engineered wood flooring.

The master bedroom suites are complete with a sophisticated lounge space, fitted wardrobes and an en-suite shower room creating a haven to unwind after a busy day. Additional bedrooms are equally well sized and are an ideal hideaway for children or guests. For those working from home, there are plenty of options for a dedicated home office, furthermore the properties super-fast broadband (up to 100MB) guarantees that working remotely has never been quicker.

Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director comments: “The penthouses at Knights Park offer the best of apartment living, just a stone’s throw from Cambridge city centre. The enviable layouts provide plenty of space for entertaining or unwinding whilst the wider development enables buyers to meet with neighbours and relax with nature. We are certain that interested buyers will be impressed, and with stamp duty paid on selected plots, there has never been a better time to set down roots at Knights Park.”

The scheme has been designed in harmony with nature and boasts several environmentally friendly features. An efficient energy centre delivers instant heat and water, reducing waste and CO2, solar panels provide all electricity and a rainwater recycling system filters rainwater which provides a renewable source of clean water for toilet flushing, washing machines and watering gardens. Homes are well insulated and feature smart meters and triple glazing helping to keep energy bills low and low energy lighting is placed within the surrounding communal areas.

Approximately 2,000 trees, plants and brambles have been planted to encourage the local flora and fauna whilst a variety of roosting boxes have been erected to encourage swifts, house sparrows and starlings. The lakes and lagoons at Brook Leys, on the edge of Eddington, provide a striking natural landscape, whilst also delivering further homes for local wildlife. Furthermore, residents have access to 123 acres of open greenspace throughout the scheme.

Eddington has plenty to offer its homeowners. The ‘Storey’s Field Centre’ community hub, hosts a variety of events from lectures and music nights to a mobile library and beer festival. A sports pitch, running track and tennis courts make keeping fit easy, whilst young children have access to a children’s playground. For green fingered residents, Eddington also benefits from its very own allotments.

A range of amenities can be found in the public square including a Sainsbury’s supermarket, independent cafes and shops. Future facilities include a doctor’s surgery and a Hyatt Hotel, offering residents the opportunity to join their onsite gym or visit the roof top bar and restaurant – the ideal place to relax and unwind. Less than two miles from Knights Park and just a 10 minute cycle ride is the centre of Cambridge. A hub for retail and leisure, with a range of independent and high-street stores, cafes, bars and restaurants.

The University of Cambridge Primary School which has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted is also placed within the development, whilst the world-renowned University of Cambridge is also just a short walk from home – making Knights Park the perfect base for families, university staff and investors.

Connections from Knights Park are enviable, via bike, residents can reach Cambridge Railway Station in just 18 minutes, from here owners can access Stansted Airport in 30 minutes, Peterborough in 49 minutes and London Kings Cross in just under an hour. Via car, residents are four minutes from the M11 connecting to the wider motorway network. A park and ride bus services also connects the district of Eddington to the city centre.

The Penthouses at Knights Park start from £689,950 for a two bedroom property and £899,950 for a three bedroom home. For a limited period, stamp duty is being paid on all three remaining homes, subject to terms and conditions. For further information or to arrange a viewing visit www.knightspark-eddington.co.uk or call 01223 607200.   

Property & Development Magazine    

STYLISH TOWNHOUSES UNVEILED AT IRONWORKS

Located in the heart of a thriving Cambridge community and positioned just off of the eclectic Mill Road is Ironworks by the Cambridge Investment Partnership. The collection of properties seamlessly blend the convenience of urban living with architecture that echoes the charm of the surrounding city. Currently for sale by award winning housebuilder Hill the newly launched, three bedroom Hooper Street townhouses are sure to be of interest to home hunters seeking flexible accommodation and plenty of space for the whole family, whilst still being within easy reach of local amenities. Four of these stunning new homes are currently available with no stamp duty to pay, thanks to the government’s extended stamp duty holiday extension, and as an added bonus Hill will cover the remaining amount payable.

Designed with wellbeing in mind, all of the residences at Ironworks have been set in mews streets and positioned around beautifully landscaped green open spaces. The serene areas have been enhanced with sculptures and artwork, adding further interest to the landscape and showcasing the work of local artists. Once completed, Ironworks will house a brand new community centre and commercial spaces, providing residents with the opportunity to meet with friends, family and their new neighbours, further enhancing the schemes community feel.

The newly unveiled show home has been designed by award winning interior designers SUNA, and provides interested buyers with the opportunity to picture the lifestyle of offer at Ironworks, as well as the chance explore these impressive new homes for themselves.

Rebecca Hunt, Director at SUNA Interior Design comments: “We wanted to keep the quirkiness and cultural interest of Cambridge, as we had done in the show apartment, and cater that towards families. We always imagine who the buyer will be when designing a property.  For this home we envisaged a family who had acquired a selection of unique items over a number of years as we wanted the house to feel eclectic and cosy, truly reflecting Cambridge and the nearby Mill Road.”

“We imagined that the purchasers would be creative and incorporated an upright piano downstairs as well as a combined music room and home working space on the top floor. Choosing an overall colour scheme ties the rooms together and here we opted for a colourful scheme and introduced gorgeous mid green tone and punches of orange.”

“Functionality was absolutely at the forefront of our minds when creating this home” continues Rebecca. “In the living room, we placed a corner sofa and occasional chair to ensure that there was enough space for family and friends to relax. Similarly, in the kitchen space we created an informal dining space that caters for day-to-day life, but that at the same time can easily accommodate a larger crowd for entertaining.

The family space in the kitchen, has been designed to guarantee that the home has a social feel, with a sofa providing a zone for family and guests to relax whilst food is being prepared. There is also the option to use the side table beside the settee as a work station when a change of scenery is needed.”

“All of the bedrooms in this home are really good sizes” expands Rebecca. “This is evident in the master suite where we have placed a super king bed and generous amounts of storage. Here we wanted the colour scheme to feel sumptuous.  The use of wood effect wallpaper, upholstery and rich burnt orange tones ensure that the room is grown up in feel whilst creating a cosy space to escape. We’ve maximised the space in the teenage bedroom, with a wardrobe, chest of drawers and a sofa too, creating a flexible hang out area. A coral coloured feature wall ensures that the room feels young whilst creating a sense of calm for when the time comes to do homework or unwind.  Overall, we wanted to design a home where buyers could envisage living, somewhere that was inviting yet also reflected the owner’s individuality.”

Just a short walk from the distinguished Cambridge city centre, known for its magnificent architecture, world renowned University colleges, picturesque River Cam and its leafy parks. The city is a hub for retail and leisure, with a huge range of independent boutiques alongside high-street stores, cafés, bars and a buzzing restaurant scene, residents of Ironworks will have access to everything they need without having to step in a car. Mill Road itself is home to a variety of community groups, independent boutiques, international supermarkets, deli’s and cafés creating an exciting neighbourhood for Ironworks residents to get involved with.

There are a range of cycle routes for residents to explore as well as a variety of local parks. Cambridge University Botanic Gardens is a 15 minute walk or four minute cycle ride away and is home to 40 acres of gardens and parks, perfect for stretching your legs during the spring and summer months. Those with small children can easily reach Milton Maize, which is just 15-minutes away via car or Partyman World of Play in nine minutes via bike or 10-minutes via car.

Cambridge station is just a 3 minute cycle ride from home and provides convenient connections to London Kings Cross, London Liverpool Street, Peterborough and Brighton. The M11 is a 15-minute drive from home providing access to the wider motorway network.

Prices for a three bedroom town house start from £675,000. For further information or to arrange a viewing visit www.ironworks-cambridge.co.uk or call 01223 643088.

Property & Development Magazine

Government research has revealed that almost half the population (46%) is spending more time outside than before the pandemic, with 42% of adults reporting that nature and wildlife is more important than ever to their wellbeing, and more than a quarter (35%) visiting their local green spaces more often[1]. For buyers hoping to secure a centrally located home, that also benefits from having vast open spaces on the doorstep, Timberworks by the Cambridge Investment Partnership is a must see. Currently for sale by award winning housebuilder Hill, those who reserve an apartment before 31^st May 2021 can take advantage of a three month mortgage holiday, and with selected apartments available with the Help to Buy: Equity Loan, there is no better time to buy! Terms and Conditions apply.

Timberworks is made up of a collection of one and two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom houses. Designed around a 0.72 acre central park that extends the full length of the development, residents here have access to greenspace on their own doorstep. Featuring a variety of public art created by local Cambridge artists, this space will offer more than expected. A range of landscaping has been incorporated which will create a serene haven where residents can meet with neighbours or friends; as well as helping to encourage wildlife and filter the air.

A short walk from the eclectic Mill Road, Timberworks is perfectly positioned for residents to access an array of independent delis, cafes, shops and boutiques as well as community groups. With Beehive Shopping Centre also within walking distance, there are always plenty of places to grab a bite to eat or to do a weekly shop hassle free. Positioned near to the Chisholm Trail, Cambridge City centre is an easy 11-minute bike ride away and offers a plethora of amenities including restaurants, theatres, cafes and stores.

Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director at Hill comments: “The past year has highlighted how important fresh air and access to greenspaces is to our health and wellbeing. Stepping outside for a 30-minute walk is a great way to blow away the cobwebs, and at Timberworks we have incorporated a central park that not only provides a great outlook, but also offers residents with a great space to sit and catch up with friends or family, meet new neighbours and appreciate some of Cambridge’s best artists. With limited time to benefit from the current stamp duty holiday, we urge interested parties to book a viewing.”

All of the homes at Timberworks have been finished to a high specification, offering versatile layouts that cater for a variety of lifestyles; from first time buyers and young couples to growing families and downsizers, there’s a home for everyone. All of the houses feature well sized private gardens and many have been positioned with an outlook onto the park, whilst all of the apartments are complete with either a balcony, terrace or winter garden as well as car and bike parking.

There is a range of cycle routes for residents to explore as well as a variety of local parks. Cambridge University Botanic Gardens is a 15-minute walk or four-minute cycle ride away and is home to 40 acres of gardens and parks, perfect for stretching your legs during the spring and summer months. Those with small children can easily reach Milton Maize, which is just 15-minutes away via car or Partyman World of Play in nine minutes via bike or 10-minutes via car.

Cambridge station is just an eight-minute cycle ride from home and provides convenient connections to London Kings Cross, London Liverpool Street, Peterborough and Brighton. The M11 is a six-mile drive from home providing access to the wider motorway network. Prices for a one bedroom apartment at Timberworks start from £318,950. Prices start from £659,950 for a three bedroom three storey home. For further information visit www.timberworks-cambridge.co.uk or call 01223 869139.

Property & Development Magazine