The official start of construction on a new housing development at Fanshawe Road in Cambridge's Coleridge ward has been marked by a ground-breaking ceremony.

The event was attended by ward councillors, Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) board members, and the project team, celebrating the beginning of a significant milestone in the delivery of much-needed homes in the area.

The development, a joint project between CIP, an equal partnership between Cambridge City Council and award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group, will provide 84 sustainable new homes, including both council and market sale properties. Of these, 45 will be council homes, designed to meet Passivhaus-equivalent performance standards, making them highly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The remaining 39 homes will be for market sale.

To address local housing affordability, 34 of the 45 council homes will be offered at affordable rent, set at 60% of the market rate, in line with the Council’s standards for new builds. The remaining 11 council homes will be available at 80% of the market rate, offering an affordable housing option for those who may not qualify for traditional council housing but still struggle to rent or buy in the local market. The market sale homes will contribute to easing the housing affordability crisis in Cambridge, with any profits from their sale being reinvested into future CIP projects, including the construction of more council homes and essential community facilities.

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The site, which previously housed 30 aging homes built in the 1950s, 20 council apartments and 10 leasehold apartments, was no longer cost-effective to maintain or renovate. Following extensive consultations with residents, who have now been successfully re-homed, the decision was made to redevelop the site to better meet the community's needs.

Once complete, the development will play a key role in addressing housing demand in Cambridge, providing a mix of affordable and market sale homes in a sustainable, well-designed environment. The project reflects the ongoing commitment of the Cambridge Investment Partnership to enhance local housing options and create thriving communities across the city.

The Fanshawe Road development will consist of 76 homes spread across four apartment buildings, complemented by eight houses situated on the site’s eastern and western boundaries. This includes four wheelchair-accessible homes for council tenants, exceeding planning policy requirements by 5%.

Fanshawe Road is part of Cambridge City Council’s broader strategy to improve accommodation standards for people living in existing council homes; to build additional council homes to meet local need, and to address wider housing supply issues.

As part of the new development, the protected open space on the site will be reconfigured, enhanced and slightly increased. A new play area and family-friendly amenities will also be added, creating a welcoming environment for the community to enjoy. A green corridor will connect Fanshawe Road to Coleridge Recreation Ground, improving accessibility and fostering links to surrounding areas. Existing mature trees on the site will be preserved, and 27 new trees will be planted alongside wildflowers, bat boxes and bird boxes, contributing to a 35% net biodiversity gain.

The new homes are designed with sustainability and futureproofing in mind, reflecting the partnership’s and city council’s commitment to low-carbon living. 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 local water resources, passive saving measures will be put in place to allow for more efficient flow of water to taps, showers and toilets, and the inclusion of underground bins, which have greater capacities, will reduce the frequency of collections and save energy.