Sainsbury's have been selected by the University of Cambridge as the operator for the new supermarket on the North West Cambridge Development.

The 2,000 sqm store will front onto the market square and be in close proximity to other shops and community facilities, including the primary school, nursery and community centre and include sheltered bicycle parking and an underground car park to serve the local centre.

Roger Taylor, Project Director of the North West Cambridge Development, said: "The University is committed to providing these important facilities from the outset so that the new local community can thrive. By reaching this agreement with Sainsbury's we are delivering on that commitment - the store is due to open alongside the arrival of the new residents and will benefit those in the surrounding neighbourhoods."

Outline planning consent for the supermarket was secured in February 2013 as part of the overall masterplan for the development and a reserved matters application for the detail of the design and its adjacent buildings was approved in February 2014.

Ian Whittaker, Development Executive for Sainsbury's, said: "The significant investment in housing within this urban extension is an exciting venture and we look forward to serving future customers, providing local jobs and working with the University to deliver a sustainable supermarket." Works on infrastructure on the development will begin in 2014 with phased completions from 2016.