Mayor backs growth and a new station at Alconbury Weald 

Mayor backs growth and a new station at Alconbury Weald 

Paul Bristow, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, visited Alconbury Weald in Huntingdonshire, following the approval of the Combined Authority’s Local Growth Plan. 

Located on a former Royal Air Force airbase, Alconbury Weald is a landmark site for new homes and jobs. Delivered by master developer Urban&Civic, the site is transforming the way that communities are built in the UK. Spanning more than 1400 acres, it will eventually deliver 6,500 homes, three primary schools, a secondary school, a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school and extensive green space, including a new country park. Around 3 million square feet of employment space will support up to 8,000 jobs. 

It is already home to over a thousand families, who benefit from the schools, parks, play areas, shops and café. Other community facilities include a gym, a library and the Pavilion community centre. Work is underway on the secondary school and additional shops.  

Over 20 businesses are providing more than 3,000 jobs in 1.5m square feet of completed commercial space. Companies range from startups to established organisations, including MM Flowers, AM Fresh, John Adams, IKO, Encocam, Magpas Air Ambulance and Cambridgeshire County Council.  

The Local Growth Plan identifies Alconbury Weald as part of a key zone for growth. The North Hunts Growth Cluster is one of four new Opportunity Zones, which will draw investment into Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  

A new railway station at Alconbury Weald has long been regarded as transformational, providing the transport connectivity needed to unlock growth across the cluster. The Combined Authority has commissioned a study through its Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England, with the support of Huntingdonshire District Council. This study will update the case for the station and identify the investment required. 

The Mayor will also meet the Minister of State for Rail, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, later this month to discuss the rail opportunities in our region. 

The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, said: “Alconbury Weald is special because it’s not just delivering numbers. There has been a real emphasis on attractively designed homes that feel rooted in a community.  

“It’s a place where people want to live. Too often, that’s not the case with new housing. I want to see the lessons from Alconbury Weald applied in our planning policies for the whole region. 

“Of course, even the best developments need the right transport links to realise their potential. The new Southern Link Road is an important step for Alconbury Weald. Yet beyond the roads, cycle routes and bus service, a station would be transformative – both for this former airbase and the whole growth cluster.  

“I was really encouraged by the conversations that we had. A railway station can be delivered here and I’m going to do everything I can to make the case.”  

Joe Dawson, Project Director for Alconbury Weald master developer Urban&Civic said: “We were delighted to welcome the Mayor to Alconbury Weald and showcase progress on the Southern Link Road — a £10 million infrastructure investment connecting the development to Huntingdon. This vital route will unlock the next 1,500 new homes, the country park, and the proposed station site. 

“Alconbury Weald already has a thriving community and strong local economy. As it continues to grow, it will deliver more high-quality homes and high-value jobs — supporting the Mayor’s vision to make Cambridgeshire and Peterborough one of the most dynamic and well-connected regions in the country.”