Decision details

This report provides an update on the Council’s Small Sites Programme; an initiative focused on bringing forward underutilised and infill sites across Cambridge to deliver new Council housing. This programme is designed to provide opportunities for the Small to Medium (SME) sector in the region particularly architects, consultants, and SME contractors.

These proposals aim to deliver 100% affordable – council - homes including the provision of larger family homes and accessible accommodation, which remain in short supply locally. The total number of new council homes is 91 new homes a net gain of 88 predominantly 3 and 4 bed houses.

With Homes England funding, the council will be able to offer more of the new council homes on the lowest level of council rent – ‘social rent,’ which is discounted to around 40-45% of market rents.

The report outlines progress on three existing schemes (Kendal Way, Paget Road, and St Thomas Road) and seeks approval to progress three additional sites – Queen's Meadow Phase 2, The Hawthorns at Haviland Way, and the Horizons Community Centre site. The indicative combined budget for these proposals is £37.4 million drawn down from allocated budgets.

All homes will be designed in line with the Cambridge Sustainable Housing Design Guide, supporting the Council’s objectives on sustainability, energy efficiency, and tackling fuel poverty.

For the following sites,

a. Queens Meadow Phase 2

b. The Hawthorns, Haviland Way

c. Horizons

That Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

I.               Approve the three sites above for inclusion within the Housing Capital Programme, with an indicative capital budget of £37,401,454 to fund all site assembly, construction costs, professional fees, and further associated fees, to deliver a 100% affordable – council - housing scheme which meets the identified need in Cambridge. This budget will be funded from resources previously approved by Council for investment in new homes and not yet allocated.

II.             Authorise the Assistant Director, Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to approve variations to the scheme including the number of units and mix of property types, sizes, and tenure.

III.           Delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Development to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in respect of any leasehold interests at Horizons and Hawkins development sites, identified for possible redevelopment that cannot be acquired by private treaty within a reasonable timescale and at a reasonable cost subject to the Director of Economy and Place being satisfied that there is a compelling case in the public interest for the use of compulsory purchase powers, and that all legal and policy requirements for the making and confirmation of a CPO have been met.

IV.          Delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Development to serve initial Demolition Notices under the Housing Act 1985.

V.             Delegate Authority to the Assistant Director of Housing and Homelessness to approve a local lettings plan for the proposed developments.

VI.          Note the updates and next steps for the councils Small Sites Programme for the following sites:

a. Kendal Way

b. Paget Road

c. St Thomas Road