Lambert Smith Hampton wins Northstowe expansion contract

Lambert Smith Hampton will now support the government agency to bring the unique placemaking opportunity to the developer market.

Northstowe is one of the most significant new towns under development in the UK. The appointment comes amid a flurry of news surrounding the development of new homes and facilities in the emerging town.

Spanning three years, the brief will see LSH support Homes England to establish the optimal strategy for Northstowe, bring the unique placemaking opportunity to the developer market and select partners to bring forward new homes and facilities.

In recent months, Homes England, Keepmoat, and Capital&Centric have signed a collaboration agreement to accelerate the delivery of 3,000 new homes and a mixed-use town centre for Northstowe.

Expanding the diverse housing offer for prospective residents, Homes England has also appointed profit-with-purpose developer, TOWN, to establish a new co-housing community located to the south of Northstowe’s future town centre and along the new access road.

Eight miles northwest of Cambridge City, Northstowe is currently under construction and will be transformed into a thriving community of around 25,000 people over the next two decades.

On completion, the new town will feature 10,000 new homes, high-quality community facilities, natural assets and a dedicated town centre. Setting an example for the market when it comes to sustainability, Northstowe will exceed the required 10 per cent improvement in biodiversity pre-and post-development – achieving 15 per cent in later phases of development.

Matthew Brown, head of large sites at Homes England, said: “Creating a new town requires time, resources, and collaboration – a development of this scale simply doesn’t happen every day.

“As such, Northstowe offers a truly unique, unrivalled opportunity for forward-thinking placemakers to help shape its future. The emerging town is well underway, with around 1,400 homes, three schools, over 15km of walking and cycling routes, a dedicated access road, sports facilities, and a temporary community centre already in place.

“But Northstowe’s entire story is not yet written and we’re looking for forward-thinking housebuilders and developers to come on board and accelerate the delivery of new homes and facilities in the area.

“Lambert Smith Hampton will bring enthusiasm and fresh thinking to the Northstowe project and we’re confident that they are the right partner to help us engage future partners with the opportunity to get involved.”

Mark Wilkinson, head of development consultancy at Lambert Smith Hampton, added: “As we have seen in recent weeks, the nationwide housing crisis is rapidly rising to the top of the political agenda. Homes England plays a vital role in enabling  delivery, while flagship schemes like Northstowe are essential to delivering new homes at scale and at pace.

“We look forward to playing a supporting role alongside Homes England in selecting the optimal strategy and development partners needed to bring thousands of new homes to fruition.

“Mindful that less than 15 per cent of the new town has been delivered so far, there is tremendous potential to optimise the delivery programme, provide local amenities and open space and deliver a new town that is fit for the 21st century.”

Phase One of Northstowe’s development, located at the ‘top’ of the site, is being delivered by L&Q, while Homes England is the master developer responsible for Phases Two and Three – the final phases which comprise the majority of the emerging town.

• To find out more about land opportunities in Northstowe, contact Mark Wilkinson at Lambert Smith Hampton at mwilkinson@lsh.co.uk