The vision

Hand drawn graphic showing the three key principles of connecting natural woodland, recycling water in the community and replenishing grassland
Green spaces are central to the vision for Alconbury Weald, ensuring a fantastic and sustainable new community for people and nature.
The vision draws on three fundamental principles:

Connecting woodlands

Alconbury was once a more wooded area, and has historic woodlands to the north west of the development in Hermitage Wood and Monks Wood, as well as our own Prestley Wood in Grange Farm. The vision aims to plant half a million trees to connect up historic woodland with new planted glades and woodlands.

Replenishing grassland

The once manicured grasses of the former RAF base, and the 11 miles of security fence once around the site, ensured a legacy of grassland, which we have been managing to support a range of bird species including willow warbler, swifts and starlings as well as grass snakes, lizards and a range of insects such as butterflies, solitary bees and variegated ladybirds.

Recycling water in the community

Alconbury Weald has been designed with an extensive drainage system to hold water and act as part of a wider drainage strategy to reduce the risk of flooding in the villages on lower ground around the development, ensure a climate resilient place, and provide new habitat corridors which connect in with the Ouse Washes.
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Alongside spaces for nature, the planning framework also ensures spaces for people. It does this through some core principles set out within the overarching site-wide planning permission, which includes:

  • All homes will be within 300m of green space and within 800m of an equipped play area or natural play features.
  • Green corridors which provide off-road paths and cycle routes between homes, amenities and green spaces.
  • Four strategic green spaces which are delivered at set milestones during development.

The first strategic green space was delivered at the start of the development, and includes the Cricket pitch and Watch Office Green.

We are also working with sports groups and planning partners on the third green space, which is due to come forward in Key Phase 3 as part of the Sports Hub in 2028/9.

Today we are focusing on the second and fourth strategic spaces coming forward in Runway Park and Prestley Country Park. We also want to update you on the plans for Garland Park, which we are halfway through delivering.

Map of Alconbury Weald showing the four strategic green spaces.

Alconbury Weald’s strategic green spaces:

  1. The Cricket Pitch and Watch Office Green
  2. Runway Park
  3. The Community Sports Hub
  4. Prestley Country Park
Alconbury Weald has been designed to deliver a Net Gain for Nature. Working with the Wildlife Trust to independently audit our work, the plans currently support a 20% increase in space for nature, and will support management of those spaces for nature in the short, mid and long term.
Alconbury Weald has been designed to deliver a Net Gain for Nature. Working with the Wildlife Trust to independently audit our work, the plans currently support a 20% increase in space for nature, and will support management of those spaces for nature in the short, mid and long term.
Next steps