There's a new vision for housing across greater Cambridge being given the spotlight. It aims to 'bring forward' homes which are affordable to live in, close to jobs and be energy efficient. And the two local authorities behind the initiative would like to hear your views.
But this is not something the new administration at South Cambs District Council has dreamed up.
As Mark Howell, District Councillor for Caxton & Papworth and for a long time Housing Portfolio holder at SCDC, says: "Housing for our residents is the number one priority, but they have to be in the right place with infrastructure in place first not as a afterthought.
"So South Cambs District Council Conservatives are pleased to see the Lib Dem administration is following the polices and vision we set in place over many years.
"We would strongly suggest you comment on the draft housing strategy and give your views and opinion."
Briefly, the Greater Cambridge housing strategy is a new draft document published jointly by South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridge City Councils.
It's a collaborative document detailing how the two authorities aim to meet housing challenges for the next five years to reflect the linked economy and housing market across Cambridge and South Cambs.
When finalised later this year, it will help to guide the future planning of new homes, as well as ensuring existing homes are fit for purpose. It focuses on:
- Building the right homes that people need and can afford to live in.
- Enabling people to live settled lives.
- A raft of ways for the two Councils can achieve their aims of bringing forward more homes which are affordable to live in between 2019 and 2023.
In South Cambridgeshire this includes delivering at least 200 energy-efficient council homes during the next five years, working with businesses to provide affordable homes available to their workers, exploring the potential for a retirement village, providing self-build plots and working with communities to give them more influence over development.
The public consultation runs until Friday 25 January – please go to this SCDC website for more background detail or here for direct access to the consultation form.
It includes the chance to win a £50 high street gift voucher, or donation to the charity of your choice.
- Our photo was taken in Home Close Swavesey on 13th January – 2½ years after 20 new council houses were built there, as we reported at the time.
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Mark Howell
Mark is District Councillor for Caxton & Papworth and County Councillor for Cambourne
Councillor Mark Howell
2 Vinter Close
Papworth Everard
CB23 3RU01480 831 848
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South Cambridgeshire Conservative Association
You can write or visit us at:
South Cambridgeshire Conservative Association
Broadway House
149-151 St Neots Road
Hardwick
CB23 7QJ01954 211 444
scca@southcambsconservatives.co.uk
