Plans to bridge the £20 million funding gap in the Waterbeach railway station relocation project have been revealed.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership’s joint assembly is due to discuss the relocation plans at a meeting on June 9.

However, providing this funding could mean other schemes are made less of a priority.

Papers published ahead of the meeting reveal funding plans for the £37 million project, with developer RLW Estates proposing to contribute £17 million.

The project to relocate the existing station is being brought forward alongside plans to build up to 4,500 new homes in the area.

A report to the Partnership’s joint assembly states that the “realisation and growth” of Waterbeach New Town cannot not be fully achieved without building the new station.

The decision to relocate the existing station has been made due to it being considered the most “commercially and cost-effective solution” to delivering a new station.

The report explains that discussions did take place with local partners and national agencies to try and find other funding sources, but this was not successful.

The station is currently proposed to be completed in 2025, and the report adds that the Partnership could receive some of the station car park revenue, which is estimated to be around £200,000 a year.

However, if the Partnership goes ahead with providing the £20 million in funding needed to bridge the funding gap, other projects could be made less of a priority.

The report said: “As the GCP is currently over-committed by £112 million, the executive board must decide if this investment is a priority scheme before it enters into any legal agreement.

“Agreement to fund the station will mean that the city deal will have to either secure further additional funding for its programme, or de-prioritise some existing schemes to balance.”

The Partnership’s joint assembly will discuss the proposals next week before reporting to the executive board, which will make the decision whether to progress with the scheme.

If the project is moved forward, the report explains that a detailed consultation and engagement plans will then be developed.

Outline plans for the Waterbeach New Town Development were approved by South Cambridgeshire District Council last year, subject to conditions, including the completion of a new railway station.