We live in UK’s biggest newbuild ‘ghost town’… there’s 1,000 homes but no shops – community centre is like an STI clinic
ONE of the UK’s biggest newbuild estates has been dubbed a ghost town despite more than 26,000 people living there.
Around 1,200 homes have been built in Northstowe near Cambridge since 2017 – with 10,000 more planned.
And while tens of thousands of people call the estate home, some say it’s a “ghost town” without pubs, cafes, public toilets or a GP practice.
But, others have defended it – and revealed why they love it.
Dad-of-two Dan Greef, 42, is one of the locals who thinks the town is lacking a few things.
He said: “We’re now past a thousand homes, and all we’ve got is a post box.
“If you want to shop you have to drive into Tesco in the next town or into Cambridge.”
He added: “At night it’s like a ghost town as there’s no nightlife, pubs or restaurants to eat at. It’s very quiet.
“Everyone here is desperate to get things in place – and I’m aware that living here is an investment for the future. We just need developers to crack on.”
Another dad, Mark, said he could see the “amazing potential” in the area.
But, he said planners “just need to pull their fingers out with the facilities” – especially a GP.
But Hannah Lumley, 42 – who moved into her three-bedroom redbrick townhouse eight months ago – has a different view.
The mum-of-three says she “wouldn’t want to live anywhere else”, and knew what she was getting into before she shifted.
The 42-year-old told the Mirror: “We’re really enjoying it here, and there is lots of community events and a great town spirit.
“People are unhappy about the lack of facilities and places to socialise but for us we didn’t expect facilities when we moved.”
Hannah said there are shops in a neighbouring town that are within walking or cycling distance, and added that she’s looking forward to seeing the town develop.
Last month a temporary community centre was dubbed as looking like a “pop-up STI clinic” – but Hannah slammed that comparison, saying it was a “great addition to the town”.
She continued: “I don’t think you’d see an STI clinic with painted flowers on the outside.”
‘FRUSTRATION’
On its website promoting the new town, developers say: “Northstowe is a sustainable new development near Cambridge where modern amenities are planned in an area rich in local history.
“The town has a strong sense of community and an identity that is entirely unique, where health and wellbeing are promoted.
“At Northstowe you’re never far from nature and yet only 20 minutes from Cambridge City.”
South Cambridgeshire’s lead councillor for communities, Bill Handley, is optimistic about the new town’s future.
He told the BBC: “I’m very well aware there’s been some frustration.
“But the thing is we’ve got some really good news coming along.”
Adrian Clark, the managing director of L&Q Estates which is the master developer for the first phase, said he understood residents’ concerns.
But, he added that Northstowe “has all the necessary ingredients to become a successful community”.
The boss told the BBC last month: “We have been working hard to meet residents’ expectations and deliver on our commitment to the community.
“While we recognise that there have been delays to our original timescales, work on this development has unfortunately coincided with the outbreak of the pandemic, followed by unprecedented economic and political challenges worldwide, which have inevitably impacted our work.”
The Sun has approached L&Q Estates for further comment.