Britain’s largest ghost town which is still waiting for GP and dentist after eight years gets bubble tea shop

Eight years on, England’s biggest new town still has thousands of residents waiting for doctors, dentists and shopping, but they can only buy bubble tea.

Nearly 1,700 homes have been built in Northstowe, 10 miles north of Cambridge, since construction began in 2017.

It is planned to have 10,000 houses and a total population of 25,000 on 540 hectares of land; this is the largest number since Milton Keynes, Bucks was built in 1967.

But it’s been eight years since residents moved here, and many say the basic amenities they were promised have yet to be built.

Northstowe does not have a shop, GP surgery, dentist or public toilet, but there are two schools and a prefabricated community centre.

Some locals took this black spot in stride and left their own homes, seizing the opportunity to start their own businesses in the community.

Elkie Chan and Dennis Wong run Bubble Bliss, a bubble tea company, from their three-bedroom home on Stirling Road.

The couple moved to Northstowe within three years and said they wanted to offer something “different” as locals “had nothing here”.

Nearly 1,700 homes have been built in Northstowe, 10 miles north of Cambridge, since construction began in 2017.

Northstowe does not have a shop, GP practice, dentist or public toilet, but there are two schools and a prefabricated community centre.

Mum-of-three Elkie, who also has a stall at Cambridge market, said: ‘If you want to go to the shop or buy something to eat you have to go out in your car.

‘We have our ups and downs but some days we sell everything. People stop by after school.

‘We wanted some extra cash and had always wanted to sell our bubble tea, waffles and matcha. This is different and the community has nothing here.’

Originally from Hong Kong, Elkie joked: ‘Society has accepted us as a business. Maybe because they don’t have a choice.”

Bubble Bliss isn’t the only home business in Northstowe; There is also a bakery and Indian takeaway in the area.

But while Elkie and Dennis’s business was thriving, he said he was disappointed with the area around his £395,000 home.

He added: ‘We pay around £100 to £200 to maintain the greens and verges. But they are not cut regularly and look overgrown like a forest.

‘We pay our council tax on this. If we’re paying for this service, we have the right to cut it off.’

Local residents have previously described the area as a ‘ghost town’ and ‘soulless’; Gradually more houses were being built.

A sports pavilion has now been opened, a temporary city center is planned to be built in 2026, and the area includes playgrounds and a lake.

The current temporary community centre, which opens in 2023, includes a volunteer-run cafe, a room to access NHS services and music lessons.

Dennis Wong moved to Northstowe three years ago and said he wanted to offer something “different” as locals “had nothing here”

Julie Purse, who has lived in Northstowe since 2017, said developers “couldn’t give a shit twice.”

Construction traffic continues to move along residential streets with vehicles parked on proposed bike lanes that have not yet opened

Julie Purse, who has lived in Northstowe since 2017, said developers “couldn’t give a shit twice.”

The former teacher said: ‘If I had known then what I know now I wouldn’t have chosen to live here. [Northstowe] It doesn’t have a soul.’

Julie said the scope of GP services in neighboring villages had flexed and she knew people who had moved to other villages, partly due to lack of facilities.

He added: ‘We want a shop, a dentist and a GP. Eight years have passed and we have nothing. The developers failed to speak out twice. It’s a shame because it could be this good.’

Tina Flack, 68, has lived in Northstowe for two-and-a-half years and said transport links were ‘good’.

He said: ‘The guided bus route and the number five bus to Tesco are really useful. But I don’t drive, so if I have to go to the doctors in Willingham, I have to rely on my husband when he’s done.

‘No shops, no doctors. I was cycling but lost confidence on crowded roads. Many of my neighbors are first-time shoppers and they are very young.

‘It feels a little more dangerous now. My neighbor attempted a carjacking while they were away. But it’s very good for walking the dog on the lake.’

Another resident, who did not want to give his name, added: ‘With a new development, it was exactly what you expected.

‘I moved here because of the investment in the Cambridge area, particularly the Cambridge-Oxford corridor. You have to give it time. It all depends on people’s expectations. ‘I understand not having a GP but I’m not alarmed.’

Construction traffic continues to move along residential streets, with vehicles parked on proposed bike lanes that have not yet opened.

Another local said: ‘People want to be where things are. If I had known it would be like this eight years later, I wouldn’t have moved here. ‘I want to get away.’

Bubble Bliss isn’t the only home business in Northstowe; There is also a bakery and Indian takeaway in the area.

Local residents have previously described the area as a ‘ghost town’ and ‘soulless’; Gradually more houses were being built.

A Homes England spokesperson said: ‘Northstowe is one of Homes England’s flagship projects and is already home to excellent schools, generous open spaces, sports facilities, scenic lakes and an increasing range of community amenities.

‘We are responsible for phases two and three of the masterplan and are currently overseeing the construction of a commercial unit and a playground at Stirling Fields, which will include equipment suitable for pre-school aged children.

‘We are also working with South Cambridgeshire District Council, which is responsible for the delivery of the Town Hub building which will include Northstowe’s healthcare facilities.

‘Although the town is relatively new and still in its early stages of development, a rich and vibrant community is developing.

‘Feedback from residents shows that they enjoy living here and enjoy the wide range of amenities they have access to, and understand that there is much more to come.’

Northstowe City Council has been contacted for comment.