New council homes for Cambridge

Two former garage sites owned by Cambridge City Council are to undergo development to provide much-needed new council homes, if proposals are approved by the Housing Scrutiny Committee.

A site in King’s Hedges ward would see four one-bedroom flats built, while another sites in Queen Edith’s ward would see two new two-bedroom homes constructed.

The sites are both currently occupied by council-owned garages, and have been identified as potential sites for new homes as part of an ongoing programme to develop land owned by the council and other public bodies for social housing. The new homes would be let as secure council tenancies.

Subject to planning permission being given, the sites will be developed by the Cambridge Investment Partnership, a joint venture set up in 2016 between Cambridge City Council and Hill Investment Partnerships.

As part of the devolution deal for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough agreed with the government, the council negotiated a grant of £70 million to build 500 new council homes. Part of this grant, along with Right to Buy receipts will be used to fund the two projects.

Kevin Price, executive councillor for housing, said: “We have identified various smaller sites like these ones in King’s Hedges and Queen Edith’s for building new homes and enabling us to tackle the severe shortage of affordable homes in Cambridge.

“Building more council housing for the many people in need is one of our top priorities. Since 2015 we have delivered 278 new homes including 242 new council homes, and 221 more are in the pipeline, but we still have 2,500 people on our housing register looking for a secure place to live.

“We are determined to use all the means at our disposal to ensure we can provide Cambridge families and individuals with modern and affordable housing that gives people the security and stability they need to thrive.”