Issue - meetings

Report on outcomes with recommendation for next steps.

 

Link to the page containing Appendix 2 of the report can be found here: North Cambridge Framework - Cambridge City Council 

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented the report.

 

The report advised that the council had an opportunity to invest in one of the most deprived parts of the city and truly change people’s lives through a coordinated place-making approach delivering new homes, new community facilities, and giving a new lease of life to a much-loved shopping centre. Up to 410 new homes were proposed including at least 206 council homes replacing sub-standard existing council homes – with the new homes built to meet modern space standards, and to be more energy efficient and cheaper for tenants to run.

 

The Assistant Director, Development gave a presentation in addition to the covering report.

 

Following questions, the Cabinet Member and the Leader said the following:

 

      i.         The proposal to redevelop Library Court was due to homes requiring better insulation and energy efficiency. 

 

    ii.         Following the consultation, residents wanted a more affordable and diverse range of shops and a modernised library and community centre, with more social venues such as cafes and pubs needed in the area.  Concerns had been expressed regarding antisocial behaviour, maintenance and accessibility. 

 

   iii.         Residents wanted regeneration but wanted to maintain the character of Arbury Court and support for existing traders.

 

  iv.         The current homes were old and inefficient.  It would not be cost effective to retrofit those properties, therefore they would need to be demolished and replaced with buildings of a high standard that residents deserved.

 

    v.         The reason for the potential number of units was because the Council wanted to apply for Homes England funding, with the report setting out the minimum numbers of housing.  However, the Council wanted to be able to get more social housing and needed to see what level of funding it could receive.

 

  vi.         The package available to traders was important and an announcement had already been made and that the Council would continue to work with them if the development goes ahead and beyond.

 

 vii.         A liaison group would be established as this was an important method of keeping people up to date and was also a means to disseminate accurate information.

 

viii.         Hard copies of the consultation would be available at the library and community centres for those without access to the internet.

 

  ix.         In respect of empty shops, it was hoped that there would be an increase demand once the development was completed due to more people in the area.

 

    x.         The structure of the existing homes was the issue and not the tenants.  This was a great scheme and it was understood that residents would be upset in losing their family homes, but the current buildings were no longer fit for purpose.

 

  xi.         There was still lots of work to be carried out before the development was approved with consultations, workshops, drop in events, webinars and direct contact with residents to be held.

 

 xii.         There would be reprovision and enhancement of the existing open space at Arbury Court with provision to slightly increase the area.  In respect of Kingsway, there would be a reduction in open space although there would be an enhancement made to offset any loss.

 

xiii.         Funding was HRA funded and not by the General Fund and included commercial premises and had been assumed in the financing.  Also, the Council would continue to own the premises as this would unlock the regeneration.

 

xiv.         In regard to Homes England funding, the Council would be committing to a bid for strategic partnership that would allow more flexibility in the funding mechanism.  If the Council was not successful in securing funding, it would apply for funding on a scheme-by-scheme basis.  Alongside this, a number of government policies was being considered such as the Right to Buy, CPI Plus One and other technical aspects that would impact the thirty-year business plan which would demonstrate what levels of headroom were available.

 

xv.         This was likely to be a Cambridge Investment Partnership Scheme, which was a method of funding Council homes as most of the Councils developments were.

 

xvi.         There were six modular homes being installed at Woodhouse Way in partnership with It Takes a City.

 

xvii.         Every resident/trader that would be moved out during redevelopment, would have the right to return if they so wished to their new homes once in place.

 

xviii.         Although the final number of Council Homes at affordable/social rent that would be available was not known due to funding, a minimum number had been affirmed.

 

xix.         Cambridge City Council was one of the best providers of new Council homes, and it was only through the program that this had been sustained in recent years.

  

Cabinet unanimously resolved to note:

 

i.       The Council’s corporate vision for North Cambridge – the Framework for Change – and the Consultation Report.

 

      i.         The analysis of the area, its opportunities and challenges, the council’s strategic objectives, the Design Code, which is now a Supplementary Planning Document, and the outcome of the local consultation exercise carried out in May/June 2024.

 

    ii.         The wide range of issues identified that will require co-operation across a range of Council teams and external agencies.

 

   iii.         The steps proposed in the report to co-ordinate response to these issues. Different funding streams will have a role in meeting these objectives and financial constraints will affect the pace of progress. Localised development proposals will also contribute.

 

  iv.         The recommendations support increased council housing in the city and the council’s bid for a Strategic Partnership with Homes England.

 

vi.  That a public consultation process will take place in autumn 2025 on the North Cambridge Framework for Change Report and in parallel the proposals for Arbury Court and Kingsway, parts of Brackley Close, Rutland Close and Verulam Way.

 

Cabinet unanimously resolved to approve:

 

i.       That the Arbury Court and Kingsway, parts of Brackley Close, Rutland Close and Verulam Way scheme be included in the Housing Capital Programme, with an indicative capital budget of £81,200,000 subject to Homes England Funding to cover all site assembly, construction costs, professional fees and further associated fees, to deliver a mixed tenure housing scheme which meets the identified need in Cambridge. Budget will be drawn down from the sum already approved for investment in new homes and not yet allocated.

 

      i.         Authorising the Assistant Director, Development in consultation with and approval of the Cabinet Member for housing to approve variations to the scheme including the number of units and mix of property types, sizes and tenure.

 

      i.         Delegating authority be given to the Cabinet Member for Housing in conjunction with the Assistant Director, Development to enable the sites at Arbury Court, Kingsway, parts of Brackley Close, Rutland Close and Verulam Way to be developed through Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) or through an alternative procurement route subject to a value for money assessment to be carried out on behalf of the Council.

 

    ii.         Authorising, subject to 3, the Assistant Director in consultation with the Cabinet member for Housing to approve the transfer of the land for Arbury Court, Kingsway, parts of Brackley Close, Rutland Close and Verulam Way shown edged red on the attached plan in Appendix 3 and 5 to a third party for redevelopment. The transfer will be at a value provided by a further independent valuation.

 

v.      Authorising, subject to 3, the Assistant Director of Development in consultation with the Cabinet member for Housing to approve an Affordable Housing Agreement with a third party for the purchase of 206 affordable homes. This agreement will be at a value provided by an independent valuer.

 

   iii.         With effect from the submission of a planning application for Arbury Court, approve (a) the purchase of the leasehold and freehold properties and (b) the issue of Home Loss and Disturbance payments to qualifying Council occupiers and Home Loss, Basic Loss and Disturbance payments to qualifying owners at the addresses at Arbury Court, Kingsway, Brackley Close, Verulam Way and Rutland Close detailed in this report.

 

  iv.         Delegating authority to the Assistant Director of Development to make a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of any leasehold interests at Kingsway, Brackley Close and Arbury Court and any of the 5 freehold households on Rutland Close and Verulam Way 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 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.

 

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

 

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

 

x.  That a budget of £10,000 be allocated out of the approved new build housing budget and the use of the land at the Woodhouse Way as a site for delivery of modular (pod) housing to serve former rough sleepers. XI. Delegate authority to the Chief Property Surveyor in consultation with the s151 Officer to approve the terms of lease of the land at Woodhouse Way to a third[1]party charitable organisation.