Council homes plan will 'tackle affordability crisis'

A £10million scheme to provide 54 new council homes on Anstey Way in Trumpington has taken a major step forward.

The scheme seeks to replace 28 properties, including a block of flats. Twenty three were rented by council tenants, but Cambridge City Council says the age of these buildings made them difficult to let. Clearance work on the site has already begun.

A planning application is set to be submitted later this month, and subject to its approval there will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes built, with 12 apartments for residents aged over 55.

Cllr Kevin Price, executive councillor for housing, who also sits on the Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) board, a joint venture between Cambridge City Council and Hill Investment Partnerships, said: “Building new council homes is a priority for the council and I am delighted to see this site coming forward through the CIP.

“As well as re-providing the 23 rented properties, this site will help with our plans to build an additional 500 new council homes in the next four years.

“Our new build strategy includes redeveloping existing sites to provide modern sustainable and truly affordable homes, alongside building homes on larger sites, smaller parcels of land and replacing garages that are no longer being used.

“These 54 new council homes at Anstey Way will provide those on our Housing Needs Register with the high-quality homes that they deserve and will help us tackle the housing affordability crisis in the city.”

The redevelopment is being funded by a combination of reserves, Right to Buy receipts and the £70million provided as part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough devolution deal. A planning application will be submitted this month and construction will commence following its approval.