Call us: 01423 369730
Email us: sales@johnchamberswildflowers.co.uk
Call us: 01423 369730
Email us: sales@johnchamberswildflowers.co.uk
Case study
Project: Eddington Cambridge Sustainable-Living Neighbourhood
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Date: October 2019
About
Eddington is Cambridge’s newest sustainable-living neighbourhood, designed to meet the needs of twenty-first century living. The project, officially known as the NW Cambridge Development Project, commenced in 2015 and represents a major long-term initiative by the University of Cambridge to accommodate future growth.
The development encompasses over 1,500 homes for University and College staff, accommodation for 2,000 postgraduates, more than 100,000m² of academic and research space, and a variety of community facilities including a primary school, community centre, health centre, supermarket, local shops and a hotel. Stretching across eight phases over a ten-year period, Eddington was designed with extensive open spaces integrated throughout to support both residents and local biodiversity.
Phase one, completed in 2017, focused on the western edge of the development, including informal parkland where more than 2,400 trees were planted. This phase alone included over 24 hectares of open space, with the entire development totalling over 65 hectares.
High-profile landscaping company Willerby Landscapes, a six-time BALI Grand Award winner, was engaged to deliver the extensive landscape works, including hard and soft landscaping, water features, specialist planters, and long-term maintenance planning. Recognising the importance of biodiversity and sustainable design, Willerby selected John Chambers Wildflower Seed as a key supplier for the project.
Our Contribution
John Chambers, as part of the Green-tech family, provided expert support and high-quality materials across multiple aspects of the development’s landscape works. The supply included:
The bespoke wildflower and grass seed mixes were carefully chosen to support the University’s sustainability and biodiversity objectives. The seed was sown across parks, open spaces and wetland areas to establish habitats for birds, bats, amphibians and pollinators, creating a resilient ecological framework for the new community.
These measures were complemented by a range of sustainable-living features integrated into the development, promoting low-impact lifestyles and environmental responsibility for residents. The combination of functional landscaping and high-quality wildflower meadows ensures that Eddington is not only visually striking but also ecologically valuable.
The green spaces at Eddington have quickly established, delivering visually stunning wildflower displays and biodiverse habitats that enhance the community. By integrating bespoke wildflower and grass seed mixes with irrigation and soil stabilisation systems, the development provides both aesthetic appeal and functional resilience.
The project demonstrates how high-quality seed supply, technical expertise and careful landscape planning can create sustainable urban spaces that encourage biodiversity and improve quality of life for residents. The wildflower meadows are a focal point within the neighbourhood, providing habitats for wildlife, supporting pollinators, and contributing to the overall ecological health of the area.
With a focus on sustainability, biodiversity and long-term performance, Eddington Cambridge represents a successful collaboration between developers, landscape contractors and specialist seed suppliers, establishing a benchmark for future sustainable-living developments.
Our Work
See how our seed mixes perform in the field, from national infrastructure schemes to habitat restoration and landscape design.
*The figures provided by the calculator are a guide only, we advise contacting one of our specification team to discuss your project requirements in full.
*The figures provided by the calculator are a guide only, we advise contacting one of our specification team to discuss your project requirements in full.
*The figures provided by the calculator are a guide only, we advise contacting one of our specification team to discuss your project requirements in full.
