CAMBRIDGE City Council has commenced a new phase for the potential redevelopment of the Ekin Road housing estate in East Barnwell.
The council has appointed Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) as third-party advisors to assess potential options for the estate in Abbey ward, ranging from minimal change (routine maintenance) through to refurbishment, partial redevelopment or full redevelopment of the site.
This summer, JLL will conduct a thorough review of the site and advise on the best approach for the future of Ekin Road, taking into account the potential economic, social, environmental, financial and strategic benefits of the different options.
Ekin Road currently has more than 120 flats, maisonettes and houses built in the 1950s-60s, including many council homes. Many of the properties there have ongoing maintenance issues and do not meet current standards for sustainability.
Ekin Road was identified as an estate to be considered for redevelopment in a report presented at the council’s Housing Scrutiny Committee in September 2021.
Since then, the council has started to explore potential options for the estate and in June 2022 began an engagement process with residents to collect feedback from the community. More information on the project so far can be found at www.ekinroad.co.uk
The outcome of this first stage of work by JLL will be presented to residents and a meeting of the council’s Housing Scrutiny Committee. A more detailed assessment of the options will follow with the aim to present a final proposal at a subsequent meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Committee.
The council is also currently working on proposals to regenerate the nearby East Barnwell local centre, to bring community facilities together and create a vibrant heart of the community with new housing, commercial spaces, a public green and pre-school building. You can find information on this project at the following website: www.thefutureofeastbarnwell.co.uk
Cllr Gerri Bird, Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness, said: “The council is committed to addressing the affordable housing shortage across the city. One of the ways we’re doing this is through our ongoing programme to review existing council owned homes and to improve conditions, particularly around energy use in our properties.
“We need to balance the demands from the housing emergency, the climate emergency and residents’ concerns about the future of the places they call home.
“We’re pleased that we can now provide a roadmap to tenants, leaseholders and freeholders on the Ekin Road estate which will provide some certainty.
“All options will be considered and the work by JLL will provide an independent assessment of the estate which will be transparent and shared with the residents of Ekin Road before any further decisions are made.”
