Another chance for Ekin Road residents to have a say on plans
Residents of a Cambridge housing estate earmarked for redevelopment will have another chance to have their say on the plans.
Independent canvassers hope to visit each household on the Ekin Road estate before November 17 to carry out a confidential survey.
Residents will be asked for their detailed views on the three potential options, which were approved for further review by Cambridge City Council’s housing scrutiny committee in September.
These include the partial redevelopment of the site, with 20 houses to the south and east retained, and full redevelopment of the site.
The third option is to retain the existing buildings and undertake essential repairs and retrofitting.
A petition signed by 66 people urging the authority to “properly assess the impact of the current proposal options” on residents was presented to the council last month.
The estate is made up of 122 dwellings, which includes 72 flats, 32 houses, 10 bungalows and eight maisonettes. It has been home to many of its residents for more than 60 years.
Many of the properties have ongoing maintenance issues and do not meet current standards for sustainability.
Cllr Gerri Bird, executive councillor for housing and homelessness, said: “I’d encourage all residents to look out for the independent canvassers visiting in the coming days, and to take part in this survey so they can confidentially state their views on the three potential options for the future of the Ekin Road estate.
“At every stage of our work so far on this project we have striven to be open and honest with residents, and understanding of concerns and issues people have raised. This survey is another great opportunity for people to have their say on the three options, and will help provide a fully rounded picture of residents’ views before next steps are taken.”
Residents will have the opportunity to complete the survey using a paper copy or online at ekinroad.co.uk.
Canvassing will be carried out by the company Marengo Communications, who have been taken on by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) who are the council’s independent advisors appointed to assess a number of potential options for the estate. The results from the residents’ survey will enable JLL to develop a draft report, which is scheduled for publication in February 2024.
There are then due to be two public consultation events, giving people the chance to comment on and ask questions about the draft report and the recommended options.
A final report is due to be submitted for approval to the council’s housing scrutiny committee in June 2024. For more contact the council on ekinroad@cambridge.gov.uk or call 07563 421031.
