We’re taking a different approach to finding out what people think about proposals for their neighbourhoods. This helps us work more closely than ever with local residents and organisations to help develop the areas.

In Abbey ward in northeast Cambridge, local residents and organisations have come together for a number of ‘community conversation’ events, as part of the Shaping Abbey project.

More than £100 million is proposed to be invested in Abbey in the coming years, to create new homes and community facilities alongside wider development for the area. Among the plans for the ward, which have been discussed at the Shaping Abbey sessions, are:

• the transformative new East Barnwell development at the heart of the ward
• emerging proposals for the redevelopment of ageing properties at the Ekin Road estate
• the ‘Focus on Abbey’ programme, which has funding earmarked for locally focused community projects
• community led projects to improve health, education and career prospects
• further investment in sports and leisure facilities

The Shaping Abbey conversation events also give residents a chance to talk to officers from many of our services about anything affecting them or their or community.

New housing and community facilities

Our East Barnwell Masterplan [PDF, 10MB] sets out a framework for future development and land use, supported by the government’s One Public Estate programme. The findings enable the delivery of the following development projects.

We are leading on the two major regeneration projects in Abbey, East Barnwell and Ekin Road.

Other proposals for further regeneration in and around Abbey ward are also being delivered. These include Cambridge East, Cambridge Retail Park on Newmarket Road and the Beehive Centre off Coldham’s Lane.

East Barnwell

The transformative new East Barnwell centre ia at the heart of Abbey ward near the Barnwell Road and Newmarket Road roundabout.

It will feature 120 modern, sustainable council homes, a new community centre and library, pre-school, new commercial units and improved public green spaces across two phases.

This development is funded by the government’sBrownfield Land Release Fund and Homes England grant funding.

Contact us at eastbarnwell@cambridge.gov.uk if you are impacted by this project or have any questions or concerns.

Ekin Road

Emerging proposals for the redevelopment of ageing properties at the Ekin Road estate will provide modern, energy-efficient new homes, including new council homes. Some of these will be much-needed three and four-bedroom family properties.

Check details of the Ekin Road development, reference number 26/00039/FUL, on our planning portal.

Contact us at ekinroad@cambridge.gov.uk if you are impacted by this project or have any questions or concerns.

Focus On Abbey, council grants and more

Through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, £282,000 was allocated to a programme of investment called Focus On Abbey. This brought together people from the community, voluntary, charitable, public and private sectors to support community led projects aimed at empowering local people to improve quality of life in the area.

• Abbey in Action, with Together Culture: Ten residents with leadership potential were supported to develop their voices, collaborative skills and personal networks, and to help build a community-led plan for a happy, healthy and safe Abbey.
• Parent Power, with The Brilliant Club: Parents worked collectively to campaign against educational inequalities and create positive change for their children and local community by being trained in community organisation skills.
• Enterprise Facilitator, with Allia: An Enterprise Facilitator in key locations in the community to engage, inspire, coach and connect local people with entrepreneurial and business potential so that they can make tangible progress with their career.
• Social Supermarket with Abbey People: This project enabled the transition of Abbey Food Hub away from emergency food distribution towards a healthy and affordable food provision (Social Supermarket) for residents.
• Food Skills with Cambridge Sustainable Food: This project aims to boost the community’s understanding of healthy food opportunities including through a food skills kitchen.

By working with health partners, investment has been secured to provide additional support to Abbey residents who have been unable to work for some time due to long term health conditions.

Our Community Grants fund has helped fund a number of projects in the ward, including:

• a food hub
• a youth club
• networking events
• farming sessions for the nearby Grow Cambridge Community Farm

Sports and leisure facilities

Plans for significant investment in sports and recreation opportunities in Abbey are taking shape, through use of Section 106 contributions from developers and partnership work with health organisations.

We have delivered a new 3G football pitch, a new youth cabin and a BMX track, all on the Abbey Leisure Complex site.

We are moving forward with plans for a new bowls club on the same site and tennis and padel courts nearby, creating a wider sporting hub in the area.

Contact us at parksandrecreation@cambridge.gov.uk to find out more.

Shaping Abbey public events

Six Shaping Abbey public events have taken place so far, in March, June and October 2024, March and November 2025, and March 2026.

A variety of local organisations and statutory services have been available for residents to talk to and find out what is happening in their neighbourhood, with additional opportunities to engage on key projects and decision making.

The team has also attended the Abbey Big Lunch, an annual community festival led by Abbey People where residents had an opportunity to chat to council staff from lots of different departments all in one place.

We will share details of any future Abbey related public events here. Contact us if you want more information about past meetings.