Groundbreaking has taken place at two of Cambridge Investment Partnership’s (CIP) new schemes, where a total 423 homes will be delivered.

The two schemes by the partnership between Cambridge City Council and housebuilder The Hill Group will include a total 253 council homes and profit from the remaining market properties will be reinvested into building more new council homes and community facilities.

The groundbreaking event took place at East Barnwell in Abbey on Friday, March 21 where a total of 130 units are being delivered (see image). Work has also begun at a CIP scheme in Fanshawe Road in Coleridge,

Cllr Gerri Bird, executive councillor for housing at Cambridge City Council and CIP board member, said: “This is an exciting time for Cambridge residents as we continue our commitment to providing high quality, affordable homes across the city.

“Through our innovative Cambridge Investment Partnership, we are building more council homes on average than almost any other council in the country, alongside much-needed market sale homes, helping us to address the local housing crisis.

“Properties sold privately help fund our ambitious council housing programme and deliver mixed and balanced communities.

“Our partnership has already delivered over 1,000 new homes since 2018 across 23 sites, including 732 council homes, with 656 being net new council homes.

“As of September 2024, more than 2,900 households were on the Housing Needs Register, highlighting the urgent need for more housing. These new developments will help address this demand while creating vibrant and sustainable communities.”

Tom Hill, managing director of The Hill Group, said: “We are proud of what we are accomplishing through CIP, ensuring the delivery of well-designed, energy efficient homes that support the city’s long-term housing strategy.

“Beyond construction, we are also committed to community wealth-building – supporting local people into work through training, apprenticeships, and social value opportunities that benefit the communities in which we build.

“Our delivery of market sales homes plays a crucial role in addressing Cambridge’s housing affordability challenges by increasing supply.

“Additionally, profits from the sale of these homes are reinvested into future CIP projects, including new council homes and essential community facilities, securing long-term benefits for the city and its residents.”

In the next few months, construction will also begin on a 70-home CIP development at the ATS Murketts car dealership site in Histon Road in Arbury.

CIP will also develop the third and final phase of 150 homes at Newbury Farm, between Babraham Road and Worts’ Causeway in the Queen Edith’s area of the city.

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