Waterbeach New Town East Shortlisted at Planning Awards 2025
Celebrating recognition for a transformational new community in Cambridgeshire
We’re delighted to share that Waterbeach New Town East has been shortlisted in the “Award for Best Housing Scheme (500 homes or more)” category at the Planning Awards 2025.
Waterbeach New Town East will deliver up to 4,500 new homes and a wide range of facilities, supported by sustainable transport infrastructure. It forms a vital part of a wider new settlement to the north of Waterbeach village, delivering on a long-term vision for a thriving, sustainable community in Cambridgeshire.
The scheme is led by Boyer (Planning) and LDA Design (Masterplanning and Environmental Impact Assessment), on behalf of the Waterbeach Development Company (WDC). Outline planning permission has been secured for this pioneering housing development of significant scale, and it is one that challenges conventional approaches to suburban development.
The scheme will be developed alongside the neighbouring consented development (on behalf of Urban&Civic) at Waterbeach Barracks, which, in combination, will deliver up to 11,000 new homes. Together, the two developments will provide a comprehensive new town north of Waterbeach village, supported by a wide range of community, employment, retail and recreational uses. The WDC planning permission alone allows for the provision of two primary schools, a secondary school, and a separate sixth form centre, as well as other community facilities and up to 33,800 sq metres of commercial floorspace.
Boyer previously supported the client in securing full planning permission in January 2020 for the relocation of Waterbeach Rail Station, which was a key requirement of the Local Plan allocation and the Waterbeach New Town Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The relocated station will serve both the new town and the existing village.
Boyer’s involvement in this project spans several years, including promotion through the Structure Plan, Regional Spatial Strategy, and the Local Plan. The team was also instrumental in the complex Section 106 negotiations, the conclusion of which enabled the formal grant of planning permission to be confirmed.
At the heart of the Waterbeach New Town East vision is a radical rethink of how we design and experience residential neighbourhoods. It boldly reimagines traditional streets, moving away from car-centric layouts and towards more sociable, sustainable living environments. Inspired by the enigmatic Fen Edge setting, the development features green corridors, walking and cycling infrastructure, and vibrant public spaces that foster community connection.
This forward-thinking approach reflects a strong commitment to:
- Placemaking and heritage — honouring the site's military history while creating a unique sense of place.
- Environmental sustainability — enhancing biodiversity and climate resilience.
- Social infrastructure — integrating schools, healthcare, and community amenities from the outset.
We’re proud to see Waterbeach New Town East being recognised as a national example of best practice in sustainable, large-scale development and we look forward to joining peers from across the industry at the awards ceremony in London on Wednesday 11th June 2025.
đź“… View the full shortlist here: Planning Awards 2025 Shortlist
🌍 Learn more about Waterbeach New Town: View the Project
Image credit: LDA Design