Cambridge City Council’s Labour housing lead Gerri Bird has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to delivering 78 council homes through the proposed redevelopment of Ekin Road.
In an update published on 6 October, Bird addressed concerns that the scheme’s viability assessment could signal a reduced commitment.
Cambridge Investment Partnership, the council’s joint venture with The Hill Group, proposes replacing 108 existing homes with 134 properties, comprising 78 council homes and 56 homes for private sale. The plans include five-bedroom council homes and four properties designed for wheelchair users.
Larger homes for the same number of people
The council acknowledges that the scheme would replace 91 existing council homes with 78 larger properties, which it expects to house approximately the same number of people.
Bird said approval of the application and viability assessment would enable the council to draw down ring-fenced Homes England funding. The proposed council homes would meet or exceed Cambridge’s standards for energy use, thermal comfort and resilience to climate impacts.
