Architect and planner Llewelyn-Davies is assessing plans for housing on green-belt land to the east of Cambridge, writes Phil Clark.

The study, which will be submitted to Cambridgeshire council in August, is part of a review of property needs in the region, which is in the middle of a boom.

It was estimated last year that 33,000 jobs would be created in the next decade, putting pressure on local infrastructure and housing. The council claims that the area is one of Europe's most pressurised sub-regions.

The study into proposals for the development of 1140 ha in the green belt will be divided into two parts: the first will look at the area surrounding Cambridge airport, which could be developed up to 2016; the second will look at development in the rest of the area after 2016, which is predominantly green belt.

Kathy Baldwin, strategic planning manager at the council, said any development would be mixed-use, but predominantly housing. She said: "Housing is an important issue in Cambridge. We have a lot of jobs, and a lot of commuting as people are now living far away from Cambridge. We are looking to try to redress the balance by using more land close to Cambridge."

We have a lot of jobs. We are looking to try to redress the balance by using more land close to Cambridge

Kathy Baldwin, strategic planning manager, Cambridgeshire council

According to Baldwin, there might be scope for the new development to have an urban centre, with shops and infrastructure.

She added that Llewelyn-Davies' plan would be examined by residents and businesses in the autumn.

Llewelyn-Davies director David Walton said the Cambridge area presented a challenge. He said: "The sensitivity of the unique urban character of Cambridge and of its landscape setting mean that there are no easy options for growth. It is our job to help ensure that when proposals are drawn up they are based on a sound analysis of the issues."

Cambridge is under pressure to provide new housing – the recently adopted regional planning guidance for East Anglia demands that Cambridgeshire provide 2800 new homes a year up 2016.