Plans for 10k homes and rail station on city airport site

More than 10,000 homes and a new railway station could be built as part of the redevelopment of a city airport after land was purchased.

Homes England and The Hill Group announced on Wednesday that it had bought Cambridge Airport and surrounding land from the Marshall Group, to deliver thousands of new homes and create about 9,000 jobs.

Andy Hill, founder and chief executive of The Hill Group, said: "Our plans include 10,000 homes, it could be a little bit more, a new railway station [and] major infrastructure as well as a park and ride."

Hill also mentioned the possibility of a "new stadium, new venues [and] film studios", as well as autonomous transport links.

Marshall Group was founded in 1909 and had previously sold land for the Marleigh estate, developed with The Hill Group.

The project, which developers are calling Cambridge East, will be "one of the UK's largest urban extension projects", Homes England said.

During a speech announcing the plans, Hill added: "Cambridge East is a unique opportunity to create a thriving, sustainable new neighbourhood.

"We are open to all ideas, we want to make this the destination people come to when they visit Cambridge, as well as the historic city.

"We will make sure the masterplan for this site is informed by local residents and delivers what the community wants."

The government said the sale included Cambridge City Airport and adjacent land of the combined size of about 700 acres (283 hectares).

It said the project would also deliver about three million sq ft (278,709 sq m) of commercial space.

Amy Rees, chief executive of Homes England, said: "A core part of our role is unlocking the potential of places, supporting them to become thriving communities and accelerating locally led plan for housing and regeneration."

The Cambridge Growth Company, a subsidiary of Homes England, would work in collaboration with The Hill Group to deliver the project.

Chairman Peter Freeman said: "Cambridge East is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform a site that has played an important role in Cambridge's history into a truly exceptional new neighbourhood for the city and generations to come."

The Marshall Group will relocate its operations by mid-2029, with an initial phase of up to 500 homes starting the same year.

Chairman Roger Hardy said: "We are delighted to have secured a bright future for Cambridge East through its sale to Homes England and The Hill Group.

"Following careful, long-term consideration, supported by Savills, we have passed the mantle for this development to partners best placed to ensure the site thrives."

The company's aerospace business said it had been "exploring options" for its long-term future", including selling the business, in April.

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