Travellers move onto Cambridge University's £1 billion development site - Cambridgeshire

From the Cambridge News

Travellers have moved onto Cambridge University’s £1 billion development site on the edge of the city.

The university said it was monitoring the situation at the North West Cambridge site, between Huntingdon Road and Madingley Road, where preparatory works are under way ahead of the construction of 3,000 homes, 2,000 student rooms, and one million square feet of academic space.

There are thought to be six families with a caravan each on the land.

Belinda Brooks-Gordon, a former county councillor for Castle, said residents were concerned about the encampment.

The Liberal Democrat said she was also worried because there are young children in the Traveller group.

She has written to residents living near the site to keep them informed.

Dr Brooks-Gordon said: “This encampment has caused residents some concern.

“I wanted to make sure that everyone living near the site was kept fully aware of what was happening and the action the university management team was taking.

“These Traveller families have told the county council’s travel enforcement officer that they are passing through and I want to make sure that happens and in a way that considers the welfare of the children and is without incident.”

The Travellers have been at the site for several days and remained there yesterday.

A university spokeswoman said the issue was being dealt with by the estate management office.

She said: “The university has served a notice to leave to the occupants who are illegally on private land and we will continue to monitor the situation, following the correct legal procedures.

“We hope the situation can be resolved peacefully and swiftly.”

North West Cambridge will also have 60,000 sq ft of shops, including a supermarket about the size of Tesco in Milton, and a green space the size of Parker’s Piece.

A primary school, community centre, health centre, sports facilities and an energy centre generating power and heat are also planned.

However, there have been concerns that the site will become an academic ‘enclave’.

There was controversy when it emerged low-cost housing would go to university staff earning up to £47,000 instead of families on the city’s waiting list, as the News reported.

The university hopes to start construction of the first phase later this year, which will have 530 homes for university and college staff, 450 properties which will be sold on the open mark, and accommodation for 300 students.