Multi-million pound plan approved

The CB1 plans also include offices in stage one and 331 new homes

An £820m plan to refurbish and modernise Cambridge railway station and its surrounding area has been given outline planning permission.

Cambridge City Council planners gave the go-ahead for the CB1 scheme, put forward by developers Ashwell, which includes 331 new homes.

The scheme will also include improved transport links to the station and a new Station Square.

It also includes 1,250 student rooms for Anglia Ruskin University.

There will also be space for 28 taxis, parking for disabled people and nine bus stops.

'Bold step'

It includes a multi-storey car and cycle park with room for more than 2,800 cycle parking spaces, 50 motorcycle parking spaces and car parking for rail users.

There will also be improvements to the existing Hills Road and Brooklands Avenue junction and the junction between Hills Roadand Station Road, as well as new roads, footpaths, public spaces, and public and private open space.

Existing office accommodation in the area is to be redeveloped to increase office space by 36%.

A spokesman for Ashwell said: "This is a bold step forward for the city and a very positive one on the journey to give Cambridge the world class gateway it deserves.

"Throughout the five years of consultation undertaken so far, local people's views have been important to us and we have incorporated many suggestions into the final masterplan.

"We will continue to engage with local residents to make sure the phased scheme is delivered in a sympathetic way."

Councillor Alan Baker, chair of the planning committee, said: "Improvements to the station area are central to plans to make sure that the urban expansion of the city is well-designed, sustainable and accessible for all Cambridge residents and everyone who comes here to work or visit."