Plans Approved for Over 90 New Council Homes Across Cambridge 2026

Key Points

• Cambridge City Council has approved proposals to deliver more than 90 new council homes across six city sites as part of its small sites programme.
• The six sites include three new locations (Queen’s Meadow, King’s Hedges, Coldham’s Lane) and three existing sites already under construction (East Chesterton, Trumpington, Coleridge).
• The scheme is expected to provide homes for at least 300 people, mostly in three- and four-bedroom family homes, addressing a shortage of larger council homes in Cambridge.
• All new homes will be wheelchair accessible, with at least five specifically adapted for wheelchair users.
• Up to 12 homes are proposed at Queen’s Meadow in Cherry Hinton; up to 30 at the former Hawthorns Community Centre in King’s Hedges; and around 40 replacing the Horizon Resource Centre on Coldham’s Lane.
• The small sites programme also aims to involve local architects and builders in the council’s housebuilding effort.
• Since 2017, Cambridge City Council has built over 850 new council homes across 27 sites, making it one of the few councils in the country to increase its council housing stock.
• Much of this delivery has been via the Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP), the council’s housebuilding partnership with The Hill Group, established in 2017.
• The housebuilding programme has also delivered five community centres, seven parks and play areas, two pre-schools, a library, new shops, and £12.2 million in infrastructure funding for schools, sports centres and the NHS.
• At the same Cabinet meeting on 7 July 2026, the council approved moving to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) through Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, with possible implementation in early 2027.
• The council also approved an extension of its Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Local Action Plan to March 2028, focusing on prevention, access to accommodation and reducing rough sleeping.
• Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Gerri Bird highlighted the cumulative impact of the six sites: 90 households who would otherwise not access a comfortable council home, including at least five wheelchair-adapted units.

Cambridge City Council (Cambridge Tribune) July 08, 2026 – uk/local/cambridge-city-council/">Cambridge City Council is set to deliver more than 90 new council homes across six sites in the city as part of its small sites programme, following approval of new proposals and progress updates at a Cabinet meeting on 7 July.

What Exactly Has Been Approved at the 7 July Cabinet Meeting?

As reported by a council spokesperson covering the Cabinet meeting on 7 July 2026, the meeting approved new proposals to build homes on three new small sites in Cambridge, alongside updates on three existing sites already underway. The plans potentially provide homes for at least 300 people who need them, supporting the council’s commitment to increasing the number of high-quality, sustainable council homes available in the city.

The Cabinet also noted progress on nine new homes at sites in East Chesterton, Trumpington and Coleridge, which form part of the wider small sites programme. In addition, the meeting approved plans for the council’s shared planning service with South Cambridgeshire District Council – Greater Cambridge Shared Planning – to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Who Will Benefit From the New Council Homes and What Types Are Planned?

The plans address a critical shortage of larger family council homes in Cambridge, with predominantly three- and four-bedroom homes proposed. Additionally, while all the council’s new homes are wheelchair accessible, at least five of these new homes would be specifically adapted for wheelchair users to live in.

It is proposed that up to 12 council homes will be built at Queen’s Meadow in Cherry Hinton. The council is purchasing the vacant Hawthorns Community Centre in King’s Hedges and plans to replace the centre with up to 30 new council homes. Around 40 new council homes are likely to replace the Horizon Resource Centre site on Coldham’s Lane, working closely with the county council which owns the centre.

Where Will the Six Small Sites Be Located and How Are They Being Developed?

The six sites form part of Cambridge City Council’s ambitious housebuilding programme which has seen over 850 new council homes built since 2017, across 27 sites in Cambridge. This means Cambridge City Council is one of the few councils in the country to actually increase its council housing stock in recent years.

Many of these homes have been delivered through the Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP), the council’s housebuilding partnership with housebuilder The Hill Group established in 2017. Every new home makes a difference and these small sites also play a vital role in increasing the overall number of council homes available to those who need them in Cambridge.

The small sites programme provides an opportunity for local architects and builders to play a part in the council’s ambitious housebuilding programme. The work is based on finding parcels of land where buildings are not being used – such as vacant community centres and working out how the council can invest in those places to increase the number of council homes.

How Does This Fit Into Cambridge’s Wider Housing and Infrastructure Strategy?

Building homes is only part of what’s needed to build and support communities, and the council has also delivered five community centres, seven parks and play areas, two pre-schools, a library, new shops, and £12.2 million in funding for local infrastructure including schools, sports centres and the NHS through its housebuilding programme.

At the same meeting, Cabinet approved plans for the council’s shared planning service with South Cambridgeshire District Council Greater Cambridge Shared Planning to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This would enable the councils to better secure funding from other developers, to support essential infrastructure such as transport, schools, healthcare and green spaces.

A ‘Charging Schedule’ will now need to be examined in public by an independent person, before being considered by both councils’ meetings of Full Council, ahead of possible implementation in early 2027.

What Changes Are Being Made to the Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy?

Cabinet also approved plans to extend the council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy to March 2028, and accompanying Local Action Plan for the same period. The extended strategy focuses on earlier prevention of homelessness, improved access to accommodation, and a reduction in rough sleeping.

Cllr Gerri Bird, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “While the number of homes on each site is small, taken together you can see the cumulative impact they will have – 90 households who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access a comfortable council home, including at least five new homes built for wheelchair users. We believe that everyone deserves to live in a warm, safe and affordable home, and we’re doing everything in our power to make this a reality for as many people as possible.”

She added: “I’m particularly pleased that these proposals are based on finding parcels of land where buildings are not being used – such as vacant community centres – and working out how we can invest in those places resulting in an increase of 88 predominantly three- and four-bedroom council homes.”

Cllr Bird concluded:

“This work forms part of a much wider programme that delivers new homes, but also investment in the infrastructure, support services and outdoor spaces that help our residents to thrive.”

Background to the Small Sites Programme and Council Housing Drive in Cambridge

The small sites programme is a targeted approach to delivering council homes on smaller, often previously underused or vacant parcels of land across Cambridge. Rather than relying solely on large-scale developments, the council has used this programme to incrementally increase its council housing stock by converting or replacing non-residential buildings, such as community centres and resource centres, into mixed family homes.

Since 2017, Cambridge City Council has built more than 850 new council homes across 27 sites, making it one of the few local authorities in the UK to grow its council housing supply in recent years. Much of this delivery has been achieved through the Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP), a housebuilding partnership with The Hill Group established in 2017, which has supported the construction of high-quality, sustainable council homes. The small sites programme complements this wider effort by focusing on smaller, targeted projects that can be delivered more quickly and with active involvement from local architects and builders.

Alongside new homes, the council’s housebuilding programme has also funded significant community infrastructure, including five community centres, seven parks and play areas, two pre-schools, a library, new shops, and £12.2 million in support for schools, sports centres and the NHS. This broader approach reflects the council’s view that housing must be supported by accessible services, outdoor spaces and transport to create thriving communities.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Cambridge Residents and Local Stakeholders

For households currently on the council housing register, particularly those needing larger three- and four-bedroom homes, the approval of 90+ new council homes is likely to improve access to affordable, secure accommodation. The emphasis on family-sized units suggests that the new stock will be prioritised for families and others with longer-term housing needs, potentially reducing waiting times and pressure on temporary accommodation.

Wheelchair users and people with accessibility requirements should also see tangible benefits, as at least five of the new homes are specifically adapted for wheelchair users, and all new homes are wheelchair accessible. This targeted provision may help reduce the ad hoc adaptations that many disabled residents currently face and improve long-term housing stability for this group.

Local architects, builders and construction firms are likely to benefit from increased opportunities to work on council-led projects under the small sites programme. By involving local professionals, the council aims to strengthen the local economy while ensuring that developments reflect the character and needs of Cambridge neighbourhoods.

The introduction of a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) through Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, with possible implementation in early 2027, could reshape how future housing developments fund local infrastructure. If CIL rates are set appropriately, the levy may generate additional revenue for transport, schools, healthcare and green spaces, potentially improving the quality of life for residents in areas receiving new housing. However, if rates are too high, some developers may delay or scale back projects, which could affect the pace of future housing delivery.

Extending the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy to 2028 signals a continued commitment to prevention and support rather than purely reactive measures. For people at risk of homelessness or currently sleeping rough, this could mean earlier intervention, more accessible accommodation options and a gradual reduction in visible rough sleeping, particularly if linked with the additional council homes and improved infrastructure.

Overall, the six small sites and the wider housebuilding programme are likely to strengthen Cambridge’s council housing stock, support local businesses, and enhance community infrastructure, while also providing a more robust foundation for tackling homelessness and improving long-term housing security for residents.