More council houses are set to be built in South Cambridgeshire after the next phase of the biggest building programme for two generations was announced.
In a report presented to South Cambridgeshire District Council’s housing portfolio holder, it was confirmed the Council plans to invest £30 million to build around 200 new homes for people on housing waiting lists over the next ten years.
Following the completion of the first four new council homes in Linton at the end of last year, plans could now see 15 new homes in Foxton, 11 in Bourn, around 11 in Gamlingay and up to 20 as part of the first homes at the proposed new town of Northstowe.
A planning application for homes on Hall Close in Bourn is expected this autumn with an application in May for homes at Hill Farm in Foxton after the Council gained support from local councillors and parish councils.
Subject to planning permission being approved, homes in Foxton could begin being built later this year with Bourn at the beginning of 2015.
The Housing Portfolio Holder also backed plans last night to work with tenants and homeowners at Wilford Furlong and Brickhills in Willingham to see how investment could improve the area for existing residents and provide some additional homes to let.
A full survey of all tenants will be carried out to see what investment they think would help improve the area before any decision is made.
The multi-million pound building and investment programme has been made possible after the Council took advantage of changes in government policy in 2012, which meant all the rent collected from tenants in South Cambridgeshire now remains in the district rather than around half being paid to central government. In return the Council had to take on part of the national housing debt.
Cllr Mark Howell, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “It was fantastic to see residents move into our first new homes as part of this building programme at the end of last year, and I am delighted we are now able to get the wheels moving on the next batch of homes.
"We have always said we want to work with parish councils to help meet local housing needs across the district and I am very grateful for the support we have had from them as well as the local councillors.
“As well as building much-needed new council houses, we are investing millions of pounds in our current properties to improve them for our tenants. The money we have already invested is helping to cut energy bills and we will continue to target homes which are hard to heat and rely on oil for heating.”
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