LSH Brought in to Boost 10,000-Home Northstowe Scheme

Posted by UK Property Forums on 2nd October 2024 -

Homes England has appointed Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) to act as property agent and advisor for the new town development, Northstowe.

The brief, spread over three years, will see LSH support Homes England to establish the optimal strategy for the scheme, bring the placemaking opportunity to the developer market and select partners to help deliver new homes and facilities.  

Homes England, Keepmoat, and Capital&Centric have already signed a collaboration agreement to accelerate the delivery of the homes and its mixed-use town centre.

Homes England has also appointed ‘profit-with-purpose’ developer, TOWN, to establish a new co-housing community to the south of Northstowe’s future town centre and along the new access road.  

The scheme, close to the Cambridgeshire countryside, eight miles north west of Cambridge, is currently under construction and will become a community of around 25,000 people over the next two decades.

On completion, the new town will have 10,000 new homes, community facilities, natural assets and a town centre. It will exceed the required 10 per cent increase in biodiversity pre and post-development, achieving 15 per cent in later phases. 

Matthew Brown, head of large sites at Homes England, said: “Creating a new town requires time, resources, and collaboration – a development of this scale simply doesn’t happen every day. As such, Northstowe offers a truly unique, unrivalled opportunity for forward-thinking placemakers to help shape its future. 

“The emerging town is well under way, with around 1,400 homes, three schools, over 15km of walking and cycling routes, a dedicated access road, sports facilities, and a temporary community centre already in place.

“But Northstowe’s entire story is not yet written, and we’re looking for forward-thinking housebuilders and developers to come on board and accelerate the delivery of new homes and facilities in the area.  

“Lambert Smith Hampton will bring enthusiasm and fresh thinking to the Northstowe project, and we’re confident that they are the right partner to help us engage future partners with the opportunity to get involved.” 

Mark Wilkinson, head of development consultancy at Lambert Smith Hampton, said:  “As we have seen in recent weeks, the nationwide housing crisis is rapidly rising to the top of the political agenda. Homes England plays a vital role in enabling delivery, while flagship schemes like Northstowe are essential to delivering new homes at scale and at pace.

“We look forward to playing a supporting role alongside Homes England in selecting the optimal strategy and development partners needed to bring thousands of new homes to fruition. 

“Mindful that less than 15 per cent of the new town has been delivered so far, there is tremendous potential to optimise the delivery programme, provide local amenities and open space, and deliver a new town that is fit for the 21st Century.” 

Phase one of Northstowe’s development is being delivered by L&Q, while Homes England is the master developer responsible for phases two and three.

Those interested in opportunities at Northstowe can contact Mark Wilkinson at Lambert Smith Hampton at [email protected].