Topping out ceremonies marked reaching the highest construction point at Cambridge Investment Partnership’s (CIP) developments at The Meadows and Buchan Street.
The schemes will comprise 106 new council homes in all, with 28 one and two-bedroom council-rent apartments at Buchan Street. At The Meadows, 78 one and two-bedroom apartments for council add to the community centre and the first 22 apartments completed during phase one.
All homes are wheelchair accessible and adaptable, with four of the apartments at The Meadows and one at Buchan Street designed to accommodate wheelchair users.
Cllr Gerri Bird, executive councillor for housing and homelessness at Cambridge City Council and CIP board member, said: “These topping out events celebrate the ongoing collaboration and commitment of our partnership to deliver high-quality sustainable council homes in the city.
“As well as the new homes, we are addressing local needs by delivering new and improved community and sports facilities, and open spaces.”
The homes are part of the council’s wider programme to improve existing council homes and build more to meet local needs and address wider housing supply issues.
Tom Hill, managing director at The Hill Group, said: “We are delighted to celebrate reaching this stage at Buchan Street and the second phase at The Meadows.
“These developments are the result of extensive consultation with the local community, stakeholders, and councillors to provide additional sustainable, affordable homes for local people and give residents community facilities that are flexible to meet many needs and are fit for the future.”
CIP has prioritised sustainability in the development - all the homes are gas-free and feature increased insulation, there are communal air source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels and biodiverse green roofs. Electric vehicle charging points are in place, along with the infrastructure for further charging points, and there is ample cycle storage to encourage sustainable travel.
The community centre was opened by then mayor Cllr Jenny Gawthrope Wood and was visited by the Queen earlier this year. It has a double-height hall, family centre, youth wing, café, pre-school and bookable meeting rooms.
CIP has improved existing open spaces and has created a Sports England-approved football pitch, new play areas and skate area, and multi-use games area, as well as retaining the zip wire and trim trail.
The woodland area has been enhanced with planting, bat and bird boxes, and there has been new tree planting throughout, along with a wildflower meadow.
