University submits plans to build 3,800 new homes

Up to half of the homes in Eddington will be affordable housing for University staff

The university plans to build 5650 new homes in Cambridge Keith Edkins via Wikimedia Commons https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

by Bela Davidson

Sunday October 19 2025, 12:47pm

The University of Cambridge has submitted a planning application to build 3,800 new homes in Eddington. If approved, construction will begin in 2026.

The plans form part of the University’s housing masterplan, which aims to build 5,650 new homes in Cambridge. This includes 1,850 currently under construction in Eddington.

The first phase of the Eddington development included Storey’s Field community centre, the University of Cambridge Primary School, and Swiles Court student accommodation complex.

Up to 50% of the Eddington homes will be affordable housing for University staff, with the rest sold on the open market.

The University’s masterplan aims to tackle what it said was a “critical shortage of housing,” in Cambridge. In a survey conducted by the University, 89% of respondents reported extreme difficulty finding a suitable home when moving to Cambridge.

The masterplan also includes new parks, play areas, sports pitches, community facilities and commercial and social spaces.

The planning application will be considered by the Joint Development Management Committee, made up of members appointed by the Cambridge City Council and the South Cambridgeshire District Council.

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The submission of the application follows Cambridge City Council’s recent approval of 292 homes in Cherry Hinton. The developer said over 40% will be offered as affordable housing.

Public information sessions about the masterplan will begin next Monday (20/10). Sessions on October 20 and October 23 will be held at West Hub at Cambridge West from 11am to 2pm, while sessions on October 21 and October 22 will be held at the Postdoc Centre at Eddington from 4pm to 7pm.

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