Northstowe 2025: Progress through partnership

2025 has been a big year for Northstowe. Together, partners, residents and local organisations have made real progress across new homes, community spaces, education, and skills.

As Northstowe continues to grow, residents are increasingly shaping everyday life, helping to create a connected, supportive and active community. These milestones reflect a genuine shared effort across Northstowe - proof that it takes a community to build a town.

Here’s a look back at some of the year’s highlights …

New homes and growth from all those involved in Northstowe’s development

With 1,660 homes now lived in across the town and Stirling Fields half complete, Northstowe continues to grow as a new community. This development in Stirling Fields was shortlisted for the Housing Design Awards 2025. Site preparation works at the Eastern Sports Hub by Homes England and finishing works by Urban&Civic are helping create safer routes, greener spaces, play areas, and support Northstowe in becoming a healthy, active and growing community.

SME-developer TOWN and Hill Group also submitted plans for a first-of-a-kind cohousing development on Phase Two for 145 new homes, with 40% of them proposed as affordable. The plans include homes for Market Sale alongside two side-by-side cohousing communities where residents have their own front doors but share gardens and community spaces for cooking and eating together, creating a strong sense of community from the start.

Spaces to bring people together

South Cambridgeshire District Council and Kier started construction on the Northstowe Unity Centre, the new permanent community building on The Green. It’ll include a large hall, flexible rooms, shared workspace and a welcoming café area. Managed by Northstowe’s Town Council, the Unity Centre will give residents more places to meet and spend time together as the town continues to grow.

Homes England’s plans were approved for a Temporary Commercial Activation Space, which will provide space for local traders and small businesses while the permanent town centre is being planned. This early activity will provide more reasons for residents to connect.

A new Community Café also opened at Northstowe Secondary College this year. Initially operated by Northstowe Hub a couple of evenings a week, it has already become a friendly and well-used spot for students, families and neighbours.

Construction work on Northstowe’s first permanent commercial unit is nearing completion on Phase Two. It will be a great addition to the growing community when Keepmoat hand it over to South Cambridgeshire District Council, and it is leased to an operator in 2026. Together, these new facilities are helping build a stronger network of shared spaces and are supporting the town as it moves from creating its first buildings towards growing a thriving and active community.

Supporting community life and local projects

Community life continued to grow in 2025, supported by Homes England’s Community Activation Fund (CAF), which provided £16,819.15 to local groups and projects. Homes England funding helped organisations run activities, such as “Mingle & Make” and the Open Art Exhibition, that bring people together to be creative and strengthen the sense of belonging in Northstowe.

Homes England’s contribution helped both The Midsummer Festival and Holi Mela, come to life, and these events once again drew strong crowds and showed how much the community enjoys gathering to celebrate music, food and local traditions. The Midsummer Festival has become a popular highlight of the town’s calendar and continues to reflect the energy and diversity of Northstowe, as it grows.

This year, Northstowe Running Festival went from strength to strength and celebrated its 5th birthday sponsored by Keepmoat Homes. In addition to the established adult park run, 61 young runners joined in on Northstowe’s first junior parkrun and enjoyed the chance to be active in the town’s open spaces. These events help bring neighbours together and develop a healthy, active and fun lifestyle for Northstowe’s residents.

Education, skills and opportunity for all ages

Education continued to be a key focus in Northstowe this year. The Northstowe Learning Community was named Best Education Project in the Regional Property Awards. The award recognised the work of teachers, students and project partners in creating a strong and ambitious learning environment. 

NHBC & Keepmoat’s plans were approved for a new multi-skill construction training hub that will offer hands-on training, apprenticeships and routes into construction careers for people of all ages over a ten-year period. The land was provided by Homes England, and overall, this investment supports Northstowe’s ambition to grow where people can learn, work and build their futures. 

With a second primary school, nursery and sixth form opening this year, learning opportunities in Northstowe now span early years, primary, secondary, sixth form, apprenticeships and adult skills.

Honouring heritage and identity

A new Airfield Marker Memorial was unveiled at the former Oakington Barracks, which played an important role during the Second World War. Created with The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust and the support of community groups, the memorial was revealed at a well-attended ceremony, bringing residents and veterans together. It offers a place for quiet reflection and honours the aircrews who trained and served there, helping keep this history alive as Northstowe continues to grow.

Looking ahead to 2026

Plans for new homes and facilities will move forward in the year ahead. In January, the brand new Northstowe Sports Centre Gym will open its doors at the Secondary College. Keepmoat Homes has already shared plans for 400 homes, including affordable homes and allotments/green spaces on Phase 2C. The Unity Centre is nearing opening, a new cycleway now connects Phase One and Phase Two, and the BMX pump track build will be complete.

Local groups will continue to thrive using the CAF and Northstowe traditions, like the Midsummer Festival, Light Up Northstowe and Northstowe Running Festival are set to return next year. The future looks bright for Northstowe as we move into 2026. This progress is thanks to the residents and partners who help shape the town every day.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of Northstowe’s journey so far, and we wish you all a very Happy New Year.