Consultation runs from: 1 December 2025 9:00am - 30 January 2026 5:00pm
S/C/NCA: North Cambridge Academy, 108, Arbury Road
- Site area of 7.68ha hectares.
- North Cambridge Academy will develop into a mixed use sporting hub, providing a range of new and enhanced sports facilities which would be available to the public outside of school hours alongside new homes and car parking provision.
- Capacity for approximately 150 homes and sports facilities as part of a mixed use new development.
1. proposals must demonstrate how they will meet the following requirements:
a. The expansion of the existing sports hall for sports and complimentary facilities;
b. The provision of a new 3G astro pitch, 4 new tennis courts and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA);
c. A Community Use Agreement for these sports facilities to be available to the public outside of school hours;
d. Assessment and implementation of necessary mitigation measures for residential development in relation to noise pollution from the adjacent schools and sports facilities;
e. Through the careful orientation of buildings and other design measures, residential development must prevent overlooking to maintain privacy of users of the school facilities;
f. Given the areas potential for archaeological activity in the vicinity of the site, development proposals must be accompanied by an appropriate archaeological assessment which includes information on the significance of the heritage asset, including the extent character and condition of the archaeological resource and the likely impact of the development on the archaeological remains. In the first instance archaeological investigation will be required via Desk Based Assessment;
g. To mitigate the potential intrusion of Dynamic View 11 Ditton Meadows, buildings should be designed in line with prevailing heights in the vicinity and a Views Analysis may be required.
Supporting information
North Cambridge Academy is an important local community asset, catering for young people between 11-19 years old. Additionally, the school has a number of sports facilities that are well used by the local community outside of school hours. The site is well located, adjacent to the Arbury Court Local Centre and within walking and cycling distance of Cambridge City Centre.
The site is currently a mix of brownfield and greenfield land, including the former Bellerbys College site and areas of hard standing. To the north of the site is land that was designated as Protected Open Space in the Cambridge (2018). This open space does not have open public access and therefore has limited use as it is not required by the existing school for sports or recreational uses.
Through the redevelopment of the north and western part of the site, there is an opportunity to create an enhanced sporting hub. The loss of Protected Open Space will need to be outweighed by the provision of an increased and improved sports hall, new 3g astro pitch, 4 new tennis courts and a multi-use games area. These facilities will need to be made available to the general public outside of school hours.
This development will be complimented by new residential development, which will need to be carefully designed to mitigate noise from the two adjacent schools, ensure no loss of privacy to those using the school facilities throughout the day and evening and protect the strategic viewpoints of the city.
Given known archaeological assets in this area, archaeological assessments will be required as set out in the policy.
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.