Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP), the equal partnership between the council and housebuilder The Hill Group, heard from Vera, who was a council tenant at Ekin Road in Cambridge, but recently moved into a new council home built by CIP in Colville Road.
Vera Guida, 40, had found comfort and community living in one of the council flats at Ekin Road, Cambridge. After the birth of her daughter Rosa, now aged four, she felt settled in the area, surrounded by friendly neighbours, with everything she needed close by and within easy cycling distance, including her role as Head Pastry Chef at Clare College.
So when the council first introduced plans to regenerate the estate, Vera was hesitant. But after ongoing conversations with the council’s housing team, she came to realise that her council home had long-standing issues, particularly persistent mould, that could only worsen without significant redevelopment.
“I’ve been living in the UK for 15 years since moving from Italy,” Vera explains. “Before Ekin Road, I was in a shared house. As a single mum, I couldn’t afford even a studio flat in the private rented sector, so when I was offered a two-bedroom council flat at Ekin Road, I was over the moon.”
“After receiving all the information about the planned redevelopment, we were supported through the rehoming process. With financial assistance from the council and guidance from the Homelink service, I began searching for a new place to call home.
“I was thrilled when a brand-new two-bedroom house became available at Colville Road,” she says. “I never expected to be offered a house, and I was so happy, especially as I liked the area, with its good schools and excellent transport links. I was pregnant with my second daughter at the time, Edith, now six months old, and it all felt like a dream.”
The new Colville Road Phase 3 development in Cambridge has been delivered by Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP), an equal partnership between Cambridge City Council and award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group.
As her pregnancy with Edith progressed, everything began to fall into place. Just a week before giving birth, Vera’s new home was ready. That same week, baby Edith arrived.
“Moving home and giving birth all in the same week was quite the challenge,” Vera laughs, “but having this new home has made it all worthwhile. It’s light, spacious, and we even have a garden to enjoy. The council and CIP teams were incredibly supportive, and I honestly can’t fault the process.”
With several good schools nearby and local amenities within walking or cycling distance, Vera feels optimistic about the future. “It’s so nice to have a proper house now to raise my daughters. My older one starts school this month, just a short bike ride away. I’m really pleased we made the move – it’s a fresh start for our family and we feel really settled.”
Cllr Gerri Bird, Executive Councillor for Housing at Cambridge City Council commented, “Our commitment to regeneration goes hand-in-hand with ensuring residents are fully supported through the process of moving and offered high-quality, warm and safe homes that are fit for the future. It’s always encouraging to hear from residents like Vera, who’ve gone through the journey and are now thriving in their new homes. As a partnership, we’re proud to be delivering developments that make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Colville Road Phase 3 development
The development features 48 council homes, including one and two-bedroom apartments and two and three-bedroom homes, aimed at meeting the growing housing need in Cambridge. Alongside these new homes, four new commercial units have been built to support local businesses and enhance the vibrancy of the area.
The new homes meet high sustainability specifications, eliminating gas usage entirely and adhering to national space standards. Built using a ‘fabric first’ approach, they feature increased insulation and air tightness, for enhanced energy efficiency. Heating is provided through low carbon Air Source Heat Pumps, while Mechanical Ventilated Heat Recovery systems ensure a healthy flow of air. Photovoltaic panels have been installed to generate additional electricity.
Other sustainable features include green roofs on the flat buildings to increase thermal mass and support biodiversity. A sustainable drainage system will manage surface water runoff, helping to improve local water distribution. The existing green space, vital for residents’ wellbeing, has been preserved and enhanced with rain gardens and bio-diverse landscaping. High levels of cycle storage and electric vehicle charging points encourage sustainable transportation.
