Chisholm Trail will link to Mill Road depot housing development

Officials have confirmed that making the major new housing development at Mill Road depot compatible with the community's cycling needs is a key plank of the regeneration plans for the site.

The scheme being put forward by Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) is a joint venture between Cambridge City Council and Hill Investment Partnerships, which will involve more than 180 homes built on the site, of which 50 per cent would be affordable housing, rather than the usual 40 per cent.

Integrating the scheme with the Chisholm Trail, the cross-city cycleway which is being fast-tracked this year, is part of the strategy.

“Our plans include provision for a section of the Chisholm Trail running north to south along the railway line side,” said Cllr Kevin Price, the council’s deputy leader and executive councillor for housing and CIP board member. “The cycleway would be around six metres wide, well lit, with access from Hooper Street or a possible future bridge over the railway line, which could land in Hooper Street.

“We are very well aware of the need to make this section of the Chisholm Trail as accessible, safe and inviting to cyclists as possible and we will be working to achieve that as the planning process moves forward.

“An access and exit is planned part way along this section of the Chisholm Trail for residents of the new homes.”

All the affordable homes at the depot will be owned and managed by the city council as part of its social housing stock and will be let to people on the housing needs register.