Editing St Neots (section)

==Expansion and Improvements==
===Housing expansion===
[[File:Wintringham building.jpg|thumb|Housebuilding in progress, [[Wintringham]], St Neots]]St Neots experienced considerable growth in the late 1960s and later, when much new housing was built to accommodate families from London, as part of the [[London overspill]] plan. Further housebuilding followed and during the 1970s industrial development took place along Cromwell Road, Station Road, and the Little End development.

Following the 1985 opening of the St Neots By-Pass (later part of the A428 road), further light industrial development took place alongside Barford Road south of the by-pass.

in 2010, the Loves Farm development was built, with 1,400 houses to the east of the railway line; further construction is continued further east in 2020–2023,<ref name="lovesfarm2">{{Cite web |date=2021-05-19 |title=Construction of additional homes in St Neots Loves Farm development begins |url=https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/construction-of-additional-homes-in-st-neots-loves-farm-development-begins/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=InYourArea.co.uk}}</ref> This was followed by a further 2,800 houses in 2021 in phase 1 of the [[Wintringham]] development, south of Cambridge Road and east of the railway line.<ref name="wintringham">{{Cite web |last=Maguire |first=Samar |date=2018-11-15 |title=New 2,800-home development near St Neots gets green light |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/wintringham-st-neots-cambridgeshire-homes-15420390 |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Cambridgeshire Live |language=en}}</ref> Expansion of light industry facilities was incorporated in the original overspill planning, and has also been continued more recently. Housing construction in Phase 1 is substantially complete and an Academy school has been provided. Additional works are planned to provide office space and shop units, as well as a large (21,500 sq ft) food store.<ref name = phase2>https://wintringham.org/future-phases/ Wintringham: Future Phases retrieved 21 April 2025</ref>

In late 2025 phase 2 of the Wintringham scheme is planned to start, extending further south from phase 1. This will provide about 900 homes and a primary school and ancillary facilities. Phase 3 will be built later, extending further south to reach the A428 by-pass road.<ref name = phase2/>

===Town Centre improvements===
[[File:St Neots Market after upgrade.jpg|thumb|St Neots Market Square after upgrade May 2025]]
A multi-million pound renovation of St Neots town centre began in January 2024 and is due to finish in early summer 2025. The town's Market Square is being cleared of obstruction and expanded, with car parking removed and new disabled spaces, landscaping, and a community space is being created. There have been improvements to Huntingdon Street crossroads and Church Walk crossing, as well as the resurfacing of the carriageway along the High Street and New Street.

Footway paving has also been carried out on the river bridge, along with the installation of a new electrical system in the Market Square, which will continue to be used for markets and events.<ref name = imporvements>https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/gallery/state-st-neots-market-square-31008354 Cambridge News (newspaper) article, 15 February 2025 The state of St Neots Market Square as revamp [is] due to be completed in two months</ref> 

In an initiative to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, many of the subsidiary roads were subjected to a 20 mph speed limit.<ref>https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/improving-the-local-highway/20mph-funding Cambridgeshire County Council: 20 mph Schemes retrieved 21 April 2025</ref>

===Old Falcon Inn===
[[File:Falcon Neots.jpg|thumb|The Old Falcon Hotel in St Neots; Grade II listed building]]The Old Falcon Inn is located in a prominent position at the western end of St Neots market square. For many years it has been disused and has become very dilapidated, and calls for restoration and development are frequently made. The building is in private hands, owned by Whitfield Associates. Parts of the building date from the fifteenth century and it is Grade II listed. In the past the owning company have proved reluctant to develop the site, citing conflict with local government planning aspirations. However in February 2025 planning consent has been given for a development that will provide two commercial units facing Market Square, improving frontage and increasing footfall at the head of the market square, along with 14 new town-centre homes, and the restoration of the Boathouse. A director of the owning company has stated that "The plans for the Old Falcon have my full support and it is my intention to get the development done as soon as possible."<ref name = falcon>https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1129898?section=official-list-entry Historic England Website, retrieved 22 April; 2025</ref><ref name = falcon2>https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/24484418.old-falcon-st-neots-new-future-market-square/ Hunts Post (newspaper) 31 July 2024, retrieved 22 April 2025</ref><ref name = falcon3>https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/news/support-given-for-redevelopment-of-the-old-falcon-st-neots/ Support given for redevelopment of The Old Falcon, St Neots  HDC Press Release 19 February 2025 retrieved 3 May 2025</ref>