A joint venture between Royal London with Aquila Investments and Turnstone Estates aims to deliver the new town homes, of which 30% will be affordable.

Alongside new homes, the outline planning permission for RLW Estates includes development of business, retail, community, leisure and sports use, as well as new primary and secondary schools, in addition to a sixth form centre.

Together with the earlier green light given for up to 6,500 new homes to developer Urban&Civic at the former RAF Waterbeach base, the permission will complete development of the new town at Waterbeach, identified in the District Council’s 2018 Local Plan.

The planning application was considered by the District Council’s planning committee in January 2021, where it was agreed that permission should be granted, subject to conditions and completion of a s106 agreement, to secure the necessary infrastructure such as new schools, community spaces and affordable housing.

But concerns about water supplies and the adequacy of the plans from Cambridge Water to meet future demand, resulted in the Environment Agency objecting to the application.

Through the work of the Water Scarcity Group, established last year, agencies across the area, including the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, have been working to resolve the Environment Agency’s concerns.

In November 2024, the Environment Agency replaced their objection to the Waterbeach application, with a recommendation that conditions be imposed.

The permission also requires Waterbeach Railway Station to be relocated prior to any of the new homes being occupied. The Greater Cambridge Partnership, working with Homes England, has agreed to lead on the delivery of the railway station relocation.