Homes and levelling up secretary Michael Gove has overruled local planners to give the go-ahead for plans to build 425 flats along with five commercial buildings for life sciences and tech labs and offices near Cambridge North station.

The decision to call in the scheme followed South Cambridgeshire District Council’s rejection of Chesterton Partnership’s plan for the mixed-use development on the 17-hectare former railway sidings site.

The development partnership, involving Network Rail, DB Cargo and Brookgate, used architects Acme and Make design the flats and nearly 600,000 sq ft of commercial space.

Designed by Acme and Make, the Cambridge North scheme is now set to create over 2,000 construction jobs during a five-year construction programme.

Housing planned will provide a mixture of tenures, including 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom homes for sale, shared ownership or affordable rent. 40% of the 155 homes for private sale will be designated as affordable housing.

New public spaces, such as Chesterton Gardens at the heart of the residential quarter, will create a neighbourhood courtyard including children’s play equipment, seating and extensive planting encouraging everyone to use the space.

A new civic space Chesterton Square (pictured above) will provide an active public space and supporting amenities for people to enjoy.