Cambridge City Council has today (Monday 13 October) announced proposals for an £80 million+ investment in north Cambridge, building 200+ new council homes and 200+ new private homes, redeveloping Arbury Court shopping and community facilities, and improved local public spaces and parks.
The plans would see Arbury Court regenerated, replacing poor quality council homes and commercial premises with 107 new council homes and 106 new private homes, a new library space, a new park and play area, and new commercial units for existing traders to move into. Existing traders would have continuity of trade throughout the development period, and a park and play area would also be available throughout.
The plans would also see the Kingsway council estate regenerated, replacing largely unfit council homes with 99 new council homes and 98 new private homes, with a new park to replace the existing open space.
To achieve the plans the council would need to demolish 149 existing council flats at Arbury Court (pictured below top), Kingsway (pictured below bottom) and Brackley Close. Many of the homes are in poor condition, with structural issues creating fire and safety risks, and widespread damp and mould issues. These issues mean that it is unaffordable for the council to continually repair and refurbish the homes to meet the standard that tenants deserve. Existing council tenants would be compensated and supported to find a council home in Cambridge that suits their personal requirements, including brand new homes, and provided practical and financial support to move.
Cllr Gerri Bird, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The council has an opportunity to invest in one of the most deprived parts of the city and truly change people’s lives by taking this coordinated place-making approach in the north of the city.
“By delivering regeneration in a coordinated way in the north of the city, we are able to consider not only the much-needed new homes, but also giving a new lease of life to a much-loved shopping centre, providing new community facilities and public spaces that the community is asking for, and addressing concerns about antisocial behaviour or people feeling unsafe in public spaces.
“We have heard from local people during multiple consultations in recent years that many council homes in north Cambridge are in poor condition and that residents have felt not enough investment has been put into homes and community facilities in the area. Investing in regenerating these estates is the only viable way to provide our tenants with high-quality homes, which is our ongoing mission, as well as to enable us to build additional high-quality council homes to help address the shortage in the city.”
46 flats which are privately owned but face many of the same structural issues would need to be bought by the council, along with five privately owned houses next to the Kingsway estate. Seven council houses would also need to be demolished under the proposals.
Cllr Bird continued: “Including these private homes in our proposals is not an easy decision to make, but we truly believe that it is the only way we can invest in the north of the city and address the poor housing conditions and wider concerns that people have been telling us about for years. We’re contacting everyone whose home may be affected this week and while I know some may be alarmed by the news, we’re also hearing really positive responses from many residents. I would urge everyone to talk to our team at one of the upcoming drop-in events – we will support each and every household on a one-to-one basis to find a suitable new home if the plans go ahead.
“We’ll look after you, and take into account your individual requirements – where you work, where your children go to school, if you want to remain living close to particular neighbours, if you need to be within walking distance of particular services, any practical help you might need to move, as well as any support you might need to bid on or buy a new home, with appropriate compensation paid. Every tenant and home owner will also be entitled to return to one of the new homes once they are built if you choose to.”
The council has a strong track record of supporting tenants and home owners through the process of moving out of homes that are no longer fit for purpose, often into new build council homes – recently marking the 300th household supported through this process. Feedback from tenants is that they have been well supported, and that their new homes are more spacious, warmer, free of damp and mould, and with lower energy bills than current inefficient council homes.
As with all other council regeneration projects in Cambridge, anyone required to move out of their home would be supported with financial compensation, logistical and financial help to move, and for council tenants high-priority access to find the right council home in Cambridge for them, including brand new homes.
The council would also support all current Arbury Court shops and businesses to trade throughout the development process, ensuring that services remain available to the community during the transition period. A park and play area would also be available throughout any development period.
Spring consultation: developing the Framework for Change
Earlier this year, the council ran a series of consultation and engagement activities to find out what local people would like to see happen in north Cambridge, to help develop the council’s long-term plan for investment in Arbury, King’s Hedges and Chesterton - this corporate vision for north Cambridge is called the ‘Framework for Change’. A report setting out what people said can be found on the council’s website.
Next steps
The proposals have been published today with the agenda for the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 21 October 2025. Cabinet members will discuss and vote on the proposals.
Everyone affected has been written to with information about a drop-in session taking place before the Cabinet meeting where people can talk to council staff about the proposals. Everyone affected will also be contacted shortly after 21 October to confirm what Cabinet decides, and to provide details of further opportunities to talk to staff and to feed back on the proposals during a forthcoming consultation.
