Alconbury: Enterprise Zone

21 August 2012, 11:17 | Updated: 21 August 2012, 11:27

Developers have submitted plans to build up to 5,000 new homes and create 8,000 new jobs at the former Alconbury Airfield in Huntingdonshire.

The proposals form part of a new so-called 'Enterprise Zone', where the planning system will be streamlined and tax incentives given to encourage businesses to set up there.

The plans for the former airfield site at Alconbury, created by developers Urban & Civic, include up to 5,000 new homes, 290,000 m2 of office space, sports facilities, schools, open space and community facilities.

Residents and businesses in Huntingdonshire can now comment on the proposals.

Four public drop-in sessions will be held where people can view the proposals and speak to Council officers.

The sessions will be held on:

  • Wednesday 19 September at Great Stukeley Village Hall, Owl End, PE28 4AQ (2pm - 9pm) 
  • Friday 21 September at Alconbury Memorial Hall, School Lane, PE28 4EQ (2pm - 9pm)
  • Monday 24 September at Abbots Ripton Village Hall, The Green, PE28 2PE (2pm - 8pm) 
  • Wednesday 26 September at Little Stukeley Village Hall, Low Road, PE28 4BA (4pm - 7pm)

Councillor Jason Ablewhite, Executive Leader of the Council, said: "The future of this strategic site is of huge importance to Huntingdonshire and the wider region.

Urban & Civic have opened up a new chapter for the former airfield and this is clearly a pivotal moment and will, hopefully, put behind us the previous unsatisfactory ideas for the site's future and realise the great potential it offers."

Malcolm Sharp, Managing Director for Communities, Partnerships & Projects, said: "The Council is particularly keen that development of the Alconbury site is considered in the context of our emerging Local Plan. 

Proper consideration of the proposals through the statutory planning process is required and feedback from members of the public is an important part of this."

An Enterprise Zone is also being set up at Great Haddon in Peterborough, where thousands of new jobs are planned as part of an industrial distribution hub.