Proposals
Key information about the scheme
Our vision is creating a place at Priory Hill where nature and community can grow together.
Almost 70 hectares (equivalent to 130 football pitches) will be retained as new and accessible open space – creating access to new walking / cycling routes as well as connections into St Neots, Transport hubs and the wider countryside.
Key features
Proposals designed to meet the local needs of St Neots
- Delivery of a new community hub.
- Significant network of public open spaces including new parkland, meadows, allotments, playing fields, and conservations areas for all to enjoy, fostering community and recreational activities.
- Protection and enhancements to existing green infrastructure, including the River Great Ouse corridor.
- New and improved walking, cycling, and public transport links to promote sustainable active travel throughout the site and beyond.
- Biodiversity net gain on-site.
- Up to 600 high-quality new homes to meet the housing needs of St Neots.
- 40% homes will be classed as affordable to enable residents to get onto the housing ladder.
- A mix of house types and tenures to respond to the needs of the local community.
Community hub
Land for a new community hub
As part of the developed area of the proposals, Bloor Homes is also proposing to deliver a new community hub for both new and existing residents to utilise and enjoy.
The new community hub will be located towards the entrance of the scheme off Priory Hill Road and will provide space for community facilities. The location of the community hub has been chosen due to it being well located for pedestrians and cyclists and accessible for the existing communities in the local area.
Active travel
Fostering active living in St Neots
Bloor Homes’ development is designed with health and well-being at its core, providing numerous opportunities for residents to lead active and healthy lives.
The proposals incorporate cycling and walking routes to help promote cycling and walking as primary modes of transport, including connections to existing Public Rights of Way (PRoWs) and an opportunity for a pedestrian and cycle crossing point to Paxton Pits, enhancing connectivity and reducing the reliance on cars for those living within the development and the surrounding areas.
Site access
Carefully designed access arrangements
Our proposed vehicular access point for the developable area of the site will be through the creation of two new accesses off Priory Hill Road which will create a looped tree lined primary street for the new homes and community hub.
In addition to this vehicular access point to the developable area, there will also be multiple pedestrian and cycle access points throughout the development, connecting to the wider network of pedestrian and cycle routes, enhancing connectivity and reducing the reliance on cars for those living within the development and nearby the open space. Improvements are also proposed at the road junction of Huntingdon Road/Mill Lane/Priory Hill Road.
Indicative site boundary
St Neots railway station
Bus stop
Bus route
GP practice
Library
Place of worship
Police station
Post Office
Primary education
Secondary education
Special needs education
Supermarket
Public right of way
Leisure routes
Off road
On road
Access location
Potential infrastructure enhancement
Opportunity to improve links to surrounding green infrastructure
Potential permissive route
Potential primary movement corridor within developable area
Potential open space
Potential development area
Flood mitigation
Sustainably designed surface water management to help prevent flooding
Given the location of the site and proximity to the River Great Ouse, Bloor Homes has developed a drainage strategy that meets the needs of the area. Most significantly, the developable area of the site is located to the southeast corner of the development, furthest away from the River Great Ouse and outside of its river valley.
The proposed surface water drainage strategy will use sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) to capture, control and release water generated on-site, back to pre-development greenfield rates. The system is designed to manage severe weather that happens very rarely, such as 1-in-100-year storm event and to account for climate change.
The proposed SuDS features include a variety of storage options: attenuation basins, swales, and permeable paving to provide storage during rainfall events, treatment, amenity, and biodiversity benefits.
Pride in place
High-quality housing that meets local needs
The proposals will deliver up to 600 high-quality new homes, in a range of house types, sizes and tenures addressing the differing needs of residents in and around St Neots.
Given that this is an outline application and is to establish the principle of the new homes, the detailed design will come forward at a later Reserved Matters stage. However, Bloor Homes is committed to delivering a new development that respects and reinforces St Neots’ unique identity, drawing from the character of the local area to ensure it integrates with the existing community whilst also fostering a distinct sense of place.
As part of the proposals, 40% affordable housing will be provided in varying sizes and tenures including affordable rent and shared ownership offering a range of options for residents looking to get onto the housing ladder.
About
Bloor Homes
Bloor Homes is a family-owned business that was established in 1969 when John Bloor founded the company and built its first home. Every possible detail was taken into consideration to create a beautiful home. The same is still true today. More than fifty years later, it is one of the largest privately owned house-building groups in the UK.
Bloor Homes gives as much careful consideration to its locations and the surrounding environment of its sites as it does to the new community it ultimately creates. Its ethos is to make every effort to conserve the natural balance of each location, including heritage conservation, the conservation of wildlife, and the preservation of natural features.
Timeline
How will the project move forward?
Timeline is subject to change due to planning and consultation.
May 2025
Public consultation launches with the local community.
Mid – Late summer 2025
Outline planning application intended to be submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council.