Cambridge University’s proposals for the new North West Cambridge community were scruntinised for nearly four hours by local councillors before being unanimously approved.

The development will include 2,000 student bedrooms and 1 million sq ft of academic, research and commercial space and is expected to be phased over the next 10 years.

Former Olympic Village operations director Gavin Heaphy is construction director for the executive team acting on behalf of the University Estate department on the huge project.

The swathe of land bounded by the M11 was originally released from the Green Belt to meet the University’s housing, student and employment needs and 50% of the approved properties will be affordable for University key workers.

The development will also provide around 35 hectares of open space, in addition to sports pitches, children’s play spaces, and allotments and it will give public access to the new sports centre on the neighbouring West Cambridge Site.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor Ian Bates said: “This new development and investment in the University will be a major boost to jobs in the area and help attract even more business.

“By properly managing the growth of development we can support the economy and show that Cambridge is truly open for business.”

“A booming Cambridge economy is good for our local communities and the nation as we have the ability to help the country out of recession.”

Last month the University announced the line-up of preferred architects for the initial phases where work could start as early as next year. These are:

Lot 1: Wilkinson Eyre Architects (London) and Mole Architects (Cambridge)
Lot 2: David Chipperfield Architects (London)
Lot 3: Mecanoo (Netherlands)
Lot 4: Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture, Sarah Wigglesworth Architects and AOC (London)
Lot 5: RH Partnership (Cambridge)
Lot 7: MUMA (London)
Lot A: AECOM (London)
Lot B: Townshend Landscape Architects (London)