We are taking a new approach to finding out what people think of their neighbourhoods. It will help us work together to develop plans that work for local people.
North Cambridge Framework for Change
We are asking local people feed into a new Framework for Change for north Cambridge.
The framework for change is a long-term plan to guide investment in the area, looking at older council housing estates, green spaces, streets, shops and community facilities in Arbury, King's Hedges and Chesterton.
Work to develop the Framework for Change is only just starting, but it builds on the principles captured in the recently adopted North Cambridge neighbourhoods Design Code. As a supplementary planning document developed with input from the local community, the Design Code sets out principles for good development in parts of north Cambridge.
Meanwhile, the Framework for Change will go further, identifying specific areas for investment and helping to guide how changes happen.
The Framework for Change will focus on:
- Older council housing estates – understanding what needs fixing or replacing, where homes should be built or improved, and what the council should prioritise.
- Parks and green spaces – finding out how people use them, and how to make them better for everyone.
- Arbury Court and the surrounding community facilities – exploring opportunities to improve the area for residents.
- Streets and travel – looking at how people move around, and how to make that easier and safer.
A first programme of engagement is running until 18 June 2025. Tell us what you value, what issues of concern you have, and any ideas for change.
After this engagement programme concludes, the team will develop the first draft of the Framework for Change for north Cambridge, which will:
- consider public responses to the consultation
- consider relevant planning and corporate objectives and constraints
- identify key issues, challenges and opportunities
- set out high level priorities and options for potential development
- consider the opportunities in the context of the financial constraints faced by the council and the need for schemes to be financially viable
This draft framework will be published for a second engagement programme, which will run in autumn 2025, and conclude by January 2026.
If the framework is adopted, planning permission will still be required for any proposals covered by the framework.
Dates for the diary
During the consultation in May and June there will be lots of opportunities for people to hear about the project and have their say, including the following dates:
- Tuesday 13 May, 5.30 to 7pm, Meadows Community Centre
- Tuesday 27 May, 6 to 7.30pm, online webinar
- Wednesday 28 May, 5.30 to 7pm, Arbury Community Centre, Small Hall
- Tuesday 10 June, 5.30 to 7pm, Brown's Field Community Centre
- Saturday 14 June, 11am to 5pm, Arbury Carnvival, Arbury Town Park
More information about these events can be found on our online engagement platform.
Arbury Court
In September 2024, we published a report which referred to possible redevelopment at Arbury Court in North Cambridge.
No decisions have been made, and there are no specific proposals for redevelopment.
However, the council is seeking flexibility in commercial leases to allow consideration of Arbury Court as part of developing a ‘Framework for Change’ for North Cambridge.
As a result, in early 2025 the council began talking to commercial leaseholders at Arbury Court about their leases, which run to 2030. During March and April 2025, the council is also offering commercial leaseholders an opportunity to meet one-to-one to discuss any concerns.
We are starting from an assumption that if there were to be a future decision to redevelop Arbury Court, we would ensure shops were able to continue trading during any development.
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