Thanks to the foresight of the Conservatives while responsible for housing at South Cambs District Council, the number of new council homes built or under construction across South Cambridgeshire since 2015 has now reached 100.
The latest project to be completed is Robinson Court in Grays Road, Gamlingay, where redevelopment of the District Council’s site saw 32 old bedsits made way for 14 new homes – ten of which are affordable council homes and council tenants with local connections to Gamlingay have now moved in.
Cllr Mark Howell, who held the housing portfolio under the Conservative administration when the houses were being planned, said: “It’s wonderful to see Robinson Court reach fruition. When we started this project in 2016 we knew it would make a positive difference to people’s lives by helping them to have their first home.
“Just as important was having that first home in the area their family and friends live so they have a support network around them. I am extremely proud of Robinson Court and I know all the people who move into these houses and flats will soon make them homes.”
Lucie Brown from Gamlingay has recently moved into one of the affordable properties at Robinson Court with her young family. Lucie, who works in nearby Potton, said: “Me and my family love the new homes and are so pleased we got allocated one.
“Me, my twin sons and partner all love where we live! The flat we live in is really big and my twins can have loads of fun playing in their walkers.
“My family live so close by so they support me with the twins, especially the one that’s been poorly. The people we have living around us couldn’t be any friendlier and we absolutely love living here.”
The new homes, built by contractor Taylor French Developments, help address the shortage of affordable housing in Gamlingay with several one and two-bedroom flats for affordable rent, and some one and two-bedroom houses for shared ownership. The remaining four homes were made available for sale on the open market, which enables the provision of affordable housing on the bulk of the site.
The new, energy-efficient homes have solar panels on top, giving tenants access to free daytime electricity. They were built on the council-owned site that was previously made-up of buildings constructed in 1973 but became difficult to rent out due to their layouts.
The completion of the ten new Council homes on the site means that, since 2015, 84 new council homes have been built in villages across South Cambridgeshire. These are Gamlingay, Swavesey, Linton, Foxton, Great Abington and Waterbeach. Another 16 council homes are currently being built on sites in Longstanton and Balsham.
SCDC already has plans for up to a further 200 new council houses to be built across the district over the next five years, including in Waterbeach, Teversham, Caldecote, Great Abington, Hardwick and other villages.
Operations Director at Taylor French Developments, Brian Ball, added: “It was our first scheme for the Council and the construction process ran smoothly, given the tight access and restricted space for the construction related activities.
“We are grateful to everyone involved for their assistance. The final product is one that we are immensely proud of and we believe it bears testament to the hard work of all involved. Our hope is that the new homes provide good quality, sustainable dwellings for both the inhabitants and the residents of the nearby area.”
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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
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South Cambridgeshire Conservative Association
Broadway House
149-151 St Neots Road
Hardwick
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scca@southcambsconservatives.co.uk