South Cambs District Council submits plan for Northstowe Town Hub
South Cambridgeshire District Council has submitted a planning application for another state-of-the-art community building in Northstowe.
If approved, the Northstowe Town Hub will be home to community, library and health facilities where the town centre will be located in future.
Situated between the High Street and Town Plaza, which are being delivered by Homes England, the District Council’s vision is for the Town Hub to become a central destination for residents and visitors, bringing together a wide range of services and community activities under one roof.
Its name – Wayfinder - emerged from the historic trig point that occupied the Town Hub site, recognising its long-standing role as a marker used to orientate and guide people through the landscape. The plans show how the original metalwork from the trig point will be re-laid in the exact coordinates it has been removed from. The Council is working with a local artist to establish whether the pillar can be repurposed as a sculpture for the garden terrace. By reinterpreting this landmark within the new Town Hub, Wayfinder reflects both the site's heritage and the building's future role as a civic focal point that helps connect, navigate and bring together the Northstowe community.
The plans outline a four-storey building to provide over 4,000 square metres of flexible space - all designed to serve Northstowe's growing population as the town continues to develop. Key features include:
Space for healthcare uses on upper floors, providing more than 1,290 square metres of space for GP services and other healthcare uses.
A self-contained high street facing unit - intended to accommodate a pharmacy as the town grows.
A modern library, including dedicated children's library, adult and teenage learning spaces, quiet study areas and collaborative working environments.
A café and welcoming social spaces opening onto the Town Plaza and High Street.
A full height modern atrium and feature staircase that acts as a meeting place, performance space, and internal town square.
A large flexible community hall capable of hosting events, performances and community activities.
Meeting rooms and workspaces available for community groups, public services and local organisations.
Accessible entrances, step-free access throughout, a Changing Places facility and inclusive features designed for all users.
A landscaped first-floor garden terrace and a roof terrace providing outdoor spaces for learning, events and wellbeing activities.
Designed to be a landmark civic building for Northstowe, the design reflects the area's unique identity. It is inspired by the surrounding fen landscape and local aviation history - along with traditional Cambridgeshire architecture. It is planned to be environmentally friendly, featuring green roofs, energy-saving technology and spaces designed to encourage nature and wildlife to thrive.
Dedicated events have been held with residents and groups as the plans have developed, to ensure the building will meet the needs of Northstowe's growing community. Drop-in sessions and updates have also been provided through the District Council’s Northstowe Community Forum, alongside discussions and input from Homes England, the Cambridgeshire County Council Libraries Service, the NHS Integrated Care Board, and Greater Cambridge Shared Planning.
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