The development of Cambridge’s southern fringe is set to take a huge leap forward with approval of designs for more than 650 homes and a primary school.

The final seal of approval from planning chiefs would clear the way for the start of house building at Trumpington Meadows, the former Monsanto site, and Clay Farm, which will form part of the community christened Great Kneighton.

The application for the first phase of Trumpington Meadows is for 353 homes next to the Grade I-listed Anstey Hall and the John Lewis collection centre, in two areas known as “village” and “urban”.

The scheme is divided into a number of neighbourhoods, all accessed off a main road, with a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached houses.

There will be blocks of flats along the primary route and also on the site’s southern perimeter, members of the joint development control committee will be told on Wednesday.

The proposals have been praised by Patsy Dell, head of planning services at Cambridge City Council.

In a report to councillors, she says: “The layout strikes the right balance between functional need and character and will deliver an attractive and good quality living environment for future residents.”

Ultimately, Trumpington Meadows is expected to provide 1,200 homes and a 148-acre country park, which has already received planning permission.

The committee will also consider proposals for the development’s primary school, which will cater for 420 pupils and also have pre-school and community facilities.

The building is distinguished by towers of up to 11 metres at each end.

The application for the first phase of Clay Farm is for 306 homes between Long Road and Shelford Road, including a formal area known as the Grand Court, urban mews, plus detached and semi-detached homes with a more rural character in an area known as “woodlands”.

Ms Dell says the designs provide for a “high quality living environment both visually and socially”.

Clay Farm will ultimately provide 2,300 homes, and will be joined in Great Kneighton by Glebe Farm, a development of 286 homes east of Hauxton Road, which already has planning permission.

On both Great Kneighton and Trumpington Meadows, 40 per cent of the properties will be affordable.