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Christian group to run new town's first faith hub

Joanna TaylorCambridgeshire
News imageSOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL A plot of land partially surrounded by metal fencing in between a road and some houses. It is largely made up of mud. There are construction vehicles parked around its perimeter. SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL
A new faith and community hub will be built in the new town of Northstowe

A Christian faith group has been chosen to build and run the first community hub in a Cambridgeshire new town.

The bid by the Northstowe Church Network was scored above a competing bid from the Hindu Samaj Northstowe group, by South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The authority said the successful bidder would be recommended for a 999-year lease of the plot off Stirling Road, due to be signed off by councillors in June.

The church network's proposals included a Christian chapel, Islamic prayer and education room, and a hall for hire for use by "other faith groups (e.g. Hindus)". There would be three further chances for faith or community groups to bid for land in the town, the council added.

The Northstowe Church Network is made up of Christians from the Church of England, United Reformed Church and Baptist Union. It also has ties with Methodist, Quaker and Catholic groups.

The group said 19% of the hub would be used for worship-related use, while there would also be a cafe, exhibition space, rooftop terrace and "flexible community space".

The group suggested its plans would cost £5.6m, with construction lasting 18 months and the building being ready by 2029.

News imageSOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL An artist's impression of the Northstowe Church Network's proposed faith and community hub. It shows a four-storey building with a rooftop terrace on one side. It is surrounded by trees. Outside of their perimeter is the outlines of houses and a lake. SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL
An artist's impression of the Northstowe Church Network's proposed faith and community hub

Dr Lisa Redrup, the council's lead cabinet member for healthy communities, said: "This is an important milestone for Northstowe as the new town continues to grow and develop.

"Spaces like this play a vital role in bringing people together, supporting wellbeing and fostering a strong sense of belonging."

The church network's bid scored 81 out of 100 by a panel of six council officers and two external specialists, while the Hindu group scored 65.

About 10,000 homes are planned at Northstowe, with 1,700 currently occupied.

It is set to be the UK's biggest new town since Milton Keynes.

South Cambridgeshire District Council's cabinet will make a final decision on awarding the leasehold, for a peppercorn rent, on 23 June.

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