Hill / Marshall and Cambridge United have announced that they are now formally working together to create a new purpose built training centre for the club which will also be accessible to the wider community. This follows detailed discussions over recent months between the parties.
The training centre will form part of the new housing development in the Abbey ward north of Newmarket Road known as Marleigh. The development is a joint venture between Marshall and the award winning top 15 house builder Hill, and already has planning permission for community sports facilities and work on the infrastructure, phase one houses and the market square commences in September 19. The first house sales will be in Jan 20.
Richard Howe, MD of Marshall Properties who is leading the scheme for Marshall said:
“Marshall and our joint venture partner Hill are very pleased to be working with Cambridge United on the proposal to provide excellent new training facilities close to the club. It is a key part of our thinking that the community will be able to access high quality sports space on their doorstep. We will be working with the planning authorities over the coming period to further enhance the sports facilities that have already been approved on the site to accommodate Cambridge United’s requirements as part of them. Depending on planning approval for the enhanced facility the club could be training at the new centre in the summer of 2022.”
Ian Mather the Cambridge United director who has been leading on the project for the club said:
“It is very positive news for the Club and for the community. This is a much needed housing development for Cambridge and this training centre will be an important part of making it a great place to live. There is obviously still a lot of detail to work on, including the exact scope of the centre and the funding needed for it, but it is very encouraging to all parties that we have now reached this point. Everyone at the Club is very grateful to Marshall and Hill for providing this opportunity. We do expect that a significant part of the project will be funded from the existing S106 obligations attached to the planning approval.
“The Club is proud of its roots in the Abbey ward and this development can only strengthen them further. We hope to be able to give more details over the summer.”