Ground-breaking ceremony marks start of project to deliver 84 new homes at Cambridge’s Fanshawe Road

Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) marked the official start of a project to deliver 84 council and market sale homes at Fanshawe Road with a ground-breaking ceremony.

Coleridge ward city councillors joined CIP board members and the project team to mark the milestone. The 45 council homes are designed to meet Passivhaus-equivalent performance standards, 34 will be offered at affordable rents – set at 60 per cent of the market rate in line with the council’s standard for new builds – while 11 will be available at 80 per cent of the market rate.

The aim is to ensure that those who struggle to rent or buy locally, but don’t qualify for council housing, have a greater chance of accessing high-quality, sustainable new homes.

CIP is an equal partnership between Cambridge City Council and housebuilder The Hill Group, and the 39 market sale homes are a vital part of addressing housing affordability in the city. Any profit from the sale of the homes will be reinvested in future CIP projects.

The site previously accommodated 30 homes – 20 council apartments and 10 leasehold apartments – built in the 1950s that were not cost-effective to maintain or renovate. Consultations were conducted with residents, who have since been rehomed to facilitate the redevelopment. During that process, a representative of the Fanshawe Road and Davy Road neighbours group criticised the lack of social rented properties in the new development and the loss of the existing open area outside the flat blocks.

Cllr Gerri Bird, executive councillor for housing at the city council and CIP board member, said: “These new council homes are a vital part of our ongoing efforts to address the housing affordability crisis in Cambridge. They also reflect our commitment to improving accommodation standards and providing homes that support the well-being of our tenants.

“The private homes included in this development will generate crucial funds, enabling us to continue delivering more council homes across the city.”

Seventy-six homes will be spread across four apartment buildings, with eight houses on the site’s eastern and western boundaries. This includes four wheelchair-accessible homes for council tenants, exceeding planning policy requirements by 5 per cent.

Tom Hill, managing director of The Hill Group, said: “We are delighted to celebrate this milestone and begin work at Fanshawe Road. This development is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable housing that meets the diverse needs of the Cambridge community.”

The protected open space on the site will be reconfigured and slightly increased. A new play area and family-friendly amenities will be added, and a green corridor will connect Fanshawe Road to Coleridge recreation ground. Existing mature trees will be preserved and 27 new trees will be planted. With wildflowers, bat boxes and bird boxes, there will be a 35 per cent net biodiversity gain.

All properties will be gas-free and equipped with advanced insulation to minimise heat loss. Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) systems will ensure optimal air quality for residents, while communal air-source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels and biodiverse green roofs will enhance the overall sustainability of the development.

To reduce the impact on water resources, passive saving measures will be put in place to allow for more efficient flow of water to taps, showers and toilets.

Sustainable travel will be encouraged by pedestrian and cycle routes, secure cycle parking and electric vehicle charging points.