Planning consent has been granted for the first phase of new market housing on the North West Cambridge Development between the University of Cambridge and top 20 UK housebuilder, Hill. The first phase of development will provide 240 new homes for private sale. The local authorities support for the scheme came in the same week that industry experts praised the North West Cambridge Development in a series of achievements for the Project. Winner of the Award for Housing Growth (1750 homes or more) at the 2015 Planning Awards, the judges praised the scheme saying “the University’s commitment to high levels of affordable housing, exemplary sustainability credentials and investment in community infrastructure make this a worthy winner.” Additionally, the development’s sustainability credentials were supported through the international Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz said: “North West Cambridge Development will contribute to the long-term success of the City and the University. The partnership working with the local authorities and developers, alongside the commendation from the industry professionals, is a positive endorsement that the project will deliver real benefit for the good of our community.” Andy Hill, Chief Executive of Hill, said: “We are really pleased that the North West Cambridge site is moving forward - this new phase offers great family homes and pioneering design, which is exactly what Cambridge needs as it continues to grow in the years ahead. Providing more new homes will help to ensure that local families and those who work in our growing science sector are able to live close to the centre of Cambridge. “The new homes at the site will be highly sustainable and offer great living spaces, thanks to the excellent design team working on the project. We are now starting to see the foundations of a new community take shape at North West Cambridge and we are keen to get started on this latest stage of the development."