The £80m contract will include building significant areas of the new local centre, named Eddington, on the vast University-led housing scheme.

BAM beat Vinci, Interserve and Skanksa to the job, which saw two contract packages (lots 1 and 3) rolled up into one.

Works include 352 homes for University and College key workers built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5, as well as a supermarket, shops, a doctors surgery, and the shell of the energy centre built to BREEAM Excellent standard.

Gavin Heaphy, construction director of the North West Cambridge Development, said: “BAM’s considerable experience in the realisation of large and complex projects, coupled with their commitment to sustainable delivery made them the right choice to become our partner for two major Lots on the development (Lots 1 and 3).”

Stuart Robinson, construction director for BAM, said: “We will draw on our strong track record in Cambridge, having delivered the complex Laboratory of Molecular Biology for the Medical Research Council, and a new University Technical College here.

“Our knowledge of the local supply chain and the community allows us both to be an efficient contractor and a good partner. It’s an exciting project, and we’re keen to get started.”

BAM will build to the designs from Wilkinson Eyre, Mole Architects, Mecanoo and landscape architects Townshend.

Phase one as a whole covers 155 hectares and will include 530 key-worker homes, over 300 student bed spaces, primary school and the local centre.