Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) has completed a development of 75 new homes at L2 Orchard Park in Cambridge that was delivered through funding from Homes England.
Thirty homes are for social rent and 45 are affordable rent homes - available at 80 per cent of the average private rental rate in Cambridge - with the city council as landlord for all the properties.
Guests from Homes England joined councillors and CIP members to mark the completion.
Cllr Gerri Bird, executive councillor for housing and homelessness and CIP board member, said: “With house prices in the city rising by 78 per cent in the last 10 years and Cambridge being one of the most expensive places to live in the UK, there is an acute need to provide high-quality, affordable new homes for those on lower and middle incomes.
“Our Orchard Park development is an example of how this can be achieved by providing a mix of council homes, including those at 80 per cent of market rents, to ensure that those who struggle to rent or buy locally and don’t qualify for council homes are still able to live in a secure, sustainable new home.”
The sustainable development features two apartment blocks and a row of coach houses and was designed by Mole Architects and. All the homes are gas-free, with heating provided by air-source heat pumps. Other features include biodiverse green roofs and high levels of insulation.
Tom Hill, managing director of The Hill Group, said: “We are delighted to complete our latest development, which has created a brand-new community on what was one of the last parcels of land allocated for housing in Orchard Park.
“As part of the development, we have also made improvements to the adjacent open space, which we hope local residents will benefit from and enjoy for years to come.”
Recreational and biodiversity improvements include a community growing garden, pergola and seating area, trim trail, running track, table tennis table, and planting. There are six electric vehicle charging spaces, one hybrid/electric car club vehicle, and 124 bicycle spaces.
Local workers interested in the 80 per cent market rent homes can register at home-link.org.uk/choice/.
CIP is an equal partnership between Cambridge City Council and The Hill Group.
