Present Made, the UK’s first purpose-built and designed single-family rental housing platform, has secured planning committee approval for its debut development.

Located in Eddington, Cambridge, the £160m GDV scheme has been designed by award-winning practice Jo Cowen Architects and will form a key part of the University of Cambridge’s North West Cambridge masterplan.

The homes and wider Present Made neighbourhood will be integrated into the 150-hectare masterplan, where the University has recognised the importance of high-quality housing in order to attract and retain talent.              

At Eddington, Present Made will develop, own and operate 373 high quality, highly sustainable rental homes, which will include the UK’s first family houses to be designed and built specifically for rent.  Construction is due to start on-site later this year, with practical completion expected in 2024.

Sustainable living is at the core of Present Made of Eddington, and goes beyond the building of the homes. The community has a ‘people before cars’ master-plan, with expansive green spaces and liveable streets to encourage meaningful moments between residents and health and fitness, while ecology corridors and edible gardens will support the local biodiversity of the area.

A wide range of indoor and outside communal spaces will allow the mental and physical wellbeing of residents to flourish. The on-site amenities will include a communal pavilion, gym, yoga studio, private dining room, bike café, children’s playgrounds and co-working.

The Present Made team will provide round-the-clock professional on-site management, responsible for all maintenance as well as running a year-long calendar of social and wellbeing activities. These will include zero waste pop-ups, cycling and running clubs, cultural celebrations, live music, art classes, cooking classes, charitable events and talks from inspirational people. 

Alan Penfold, executive director of Present Made said: “The planning committee’s approval is a major vindication of our vision to deliver a lifestyle-led offering and we look forward to getting on-site and seeing the development progress.

“Present Made of Eddington will offer the UK’s first ever homes to have been designed and built from the ground up specifically for rent, situated within a community setting that has sustainability and wellbeing at its very core. Every stage of the design, development and operational plan has a discerning focus on minimising costs for the planet and residents alike, and where community creation and social interaction are strongly encouraged.

“High quality rental housing that is flexible yet secure in tenure, attainably priced and responsive to the needs and wants of modern renters is critical to addressing the shortage of accommodation in the Cambridge market.

“It is widely recognised that Cambridge is in need of greater housing provision. The government, at all levels, should be finding ways to harness the growing weight of institutional capital looking to help fund the delivery of high quality housing schemes such as Present Made of Eddington.”