Consultation runs from: 1 December 2025 9:00am - 30 January 2026 5:00pm
1.
proposals within the Abbey Stadium area will be supported if they:
a. Are part of a comprehensive masterplan that will deliver a wider vision for Abbey Stadium. The vision should support an enhanced visitor experience, including how people travel to and from the stadium, the facilities within and around it and enhancing the sense of arrival to the stadium from Newmarket Road. Subsequent planning applications should support the delivery of the masterplan’s vision;
b. Improve bus infrastructure on Newmarket Road where possible;
c. Resolve road network capacity, movement and safety concerns on match days. Site access arrangements from Newmarket Road require improvement;
d. Ensure new development is well connected to existing footpaths and cycleways in the vicinity of the site, including the Chisholm Trail and that adequate, safe and secure cycle parking provision is set out across the site;
e. Provide improved active and public travel links to Cambridge City Centre, railway stations and Newmarket Park and Ride.
f. Retain existing trees to the western edge of the site and provide additional planting to soften the impact on the Protected Open Space to the west of the site boundary and from views into the site;
g. Protect the sensitive ecological assets, Coldhams Common and Coldhams Brook, to the west and south of the site;
h. Provide a sustainable drainage strategy which includes consideration of the Flood Zones 2 and 3 are to the west of the site boundary;
i. Identify opportunities to use the stadium and associated facilities on non-match days; and
j. Preserve or enhance the setting of the Grade II Listed Buildings, 529 and Papermills, Newmarket Road and the Riverside
which are opposite the development site, and an Historic Impact Assessment should be submitted with any application.
2. An urban design led approach should be taken to inform the appropriate scale and massing of development proposals, minimising adverse impacts on adjacent residential properties and open spaces.
Supporting information
The Area of Major Change is 68 hectares and is home to Cambridge United Football Club. The club have been based at the Abbey Stadium for nearly 100 years and is an important part of the local community. The site owner, Cambridge United, have indicated an intension to redevelop the stadium and improve the facilities. Whilst the site is constrained on all sides by existing development, flooding, protected open space and roads, there are opportunities within the site to redevelop some of the existing stands as well as associated visitor facilities. The site needs to be comprehensively planned to ensure coordinated development, to make efficient use of land and promote good urban design.
The development needs to take account of the context of the site. It should make a positive contribution to the appearance of Newmarket Road and preserve or enhance the setting of the Riverside and Listed Buildings on the opposite side of the road.
Land to the west of the site is Protected Open Space and contains the County and City Wildlife Sites of Coldhams Common and Coldhams Brook. Any application will need to show that it supports these designations and mitigate any impacts. A row of mature trees lies to the western boundary which are to be retained and protected from harmful impacts of development.
There are residential properties close to the north and east of the site, with several abutting the site. Any development must minimise any impact on residential amenity, including the impacts of on street parking associated with the site.
proposals will also need to demonstrate how they will minimise impacts of additional traffic by promoting the use of public transport and active travel. An existing network of cycleways and footpath runs through the adjacent Coldhams Common and consideration should be given to how any new development would connect with these. The site is centrally located but generates congestion issues on match days. Therefore a comprehensive approach to maximising active and public travel to and from the site will be crucial to its success and minimise impacts on local communities.
Although the development site is in Flood Zone 1, the land to the west is in Flood Zone 2 and 3. should show a sustainable drainage system that minimises the risk of flooding on the site and exacerbating the risk of flooding of the land to the west.
There is a valued allotment site to the south of the stadium and any development of the stadium site should not adversely affect this allotment facility, particularly in terms of retaining good access for allotment users.
Tell us what you think
We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the .
All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.