Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) has started work on Phase 3 of latest development at Colville Road to build over 700 new council homes in the city.

Since the partnership was established in 2017, CIP has completed eight developments, with work underway on a further 11 sites. So far 694 council homes have either been completed or are underway with the start on site at Colville Road Phase 3 providing a further 48 affordable homes.

In addition, 295 private sale homes are being delivered at Ironworks, Mill Road and Timber Works, Cromwell Road.

Cllr Gerri Bird, Executive Councillor for Housing at Cambridge City Council and CIP board member said: "The partnership is committed to providing high quality sustainable council homes for the community including replacing aging poor quality homes which are no longer fit for purpose.

"To date we have replaced 137 homes which includes 18 at this latest phase of Colville Road. I am delighted to see work underway to deliver further council homes, including two wheelchair accessible homes."

-- Advertisement --

At Colville Road Phase 3 Cambridge Investment Partnership will be building 48 new council rented homes and providing four new commercial units. Designed by BPTW Architects following consultation with the local community it features a variety of one and two bedroom council rent apartments and three bedroom council rented homes.

Tom Hill, Regional Director of Hill commented: "We are pleased to have work underway to deliver these sustainable new council homes, which will be significantly more energy efficient, and help to reduce the impact of rising energy costs. The homes have been designed to a Fabric First approach with increased insulation and air tightness to keep them as warm as possible with heating provided through electrical Air Source Heat Pump instead of gas, providing low carbon heating.

"We are also installing mechanically ventilated heat recovery systems in each property which will ensure a healthy flow of air throughout the home and photovoltaic panels will generate further electricity for the development."

Further sustainable features include green roofs which will be installed on the flat roofs to increase thermal mass and aid ecology and enhanced biodiversity on the site alongside the landscaping. A sustainable drainage system will aid the existing surface sewer system and allow a more even distribution of drainage.

The existing green space, which is crucial for the health and wellbeing of local residents and the character of the High Street, will be retained and improved as part of the development. Rain gardens will also be created along the High Street to reflect those already on the other side of the road and other features include grasses, perennials and shrubs which will be used at the frontage of the southern space to provide an attractive frontage and bio-diverse planting within the car parks to break up the hard standing and soften the space.