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.
Plans for redevelopment in north Cambridge: 400 new homes, shops, community facilities and public spaces
We announced in October 2025 our plans for an £80 million investment in north Cambridge which will see 200+ new council homes and 200+ new market homes built across the Arbury Court site and the nearby Kingsway council estate, with Arbury Court shopping and community facilities redeveloped, and improvements made to local public spaces and parks.
The plans have been developed following an earlier round of engagement in May and June 2025 to help create our North Cambridge Framework for Change – our corporate vision for north Cambridge which sets out our long-term plan for investment in Arbury, King’s Hedges and Chesterton.
Hundreds of people responded to the survey or took part in engagement events and conversations and this feedback has directly influenced the draft Framework for Change, as well as specific plans for redevelopment at Arbury Court and the Kingsway council estate.
Arbury Court
The plan is to take down existing homes and commercial premises at Arbury Court and replace them with over 100 new council homes and over 100 new private homes, new commercial units, new community facilities including the library, and a new park and play area. The council is also in discussions with the Gurdwara, which has a freehold on the site, about being part of the proposals.
The current park will be replaced with more space for new park and play areas, which will be at the centre of the new Arbury Court (see below). It will be closer to the shops and community facilities meaning increased footfall, greater usage and therefore lower risk of antisocial behaviour. All Category A trees will be kept and the majority of other mature trees too. We will ensure that there is always a park open for residents during this work. The current park will remain open in the first phase, and only when phase 1 is completed and the new park is open will the current park close.
We are asking local families and young people to get involved in helping to design the new park and play areas to ensure we get this right and improve the layout and facilities for local people - email northcambridge@engagecf.co.uk.
New commercial units will be built for existing Arbury Court traders to move into. Traders will only have to move out of the current Arbury Court premises once the new Arbury Court has been built nearby, and the new commercial units are ready to move into.
Map of the proposed Arbury Court development
Kingsway
The plans would also see the Kingsway council estate regenerated, replacing many council homes with 99 new council homes and 98 new private homes, with a better arrangement of open and green spaces.
The proposals also include redeveloping a number of homes on nearby Brackley Close, Rutland Close and Verulam Way.
Map of the proposed Kingsway development
Parks and green spaces
We are planning to enhance parks and green spaces across the north of the city to make them safer and more accessible, increasing biodiversity, and planting trees and shrubs – initially at Arbury Park and the open space Kingsway, with a longer-term focus on Pulley Park, Nun’s Way Rec and Arbury Town Park.
Safer streets
We plan to work with the Highways Authority for safer streets, better crossings and improved travel connections, including the Arbury Court and Kingsway link.
Timeline
- 2026: When a planning application is submitted for Arbury Court, council tenants would be granted highest priority on Home-Link and could start bidding for new council properties. Homeowners can also begin discussions with the council about next steps
- 2027: No residents will need to move before 2027, with many households not needing to move until a later date
- 2030: Arbury Court commercial tenants would only move once the new Arbury Court has been built
Have your say
Share your views on the draft north Cambridge Framework for Change, and the specific plans for redevelopment at Arbury Court and Kingsway, between now and Tuesday 16 December 2025.
Take the survey online where the content can be translated into Arabic, Polish, Ukrainian or Portuguese.
Request the survey in an alternative format, including a paper copy, by emailing communications@Cambridge.gov.uk or calling 01223 457 000. Paper copies are also available at Meadows Community Centre and Arbury Court Library. For anyone requiring one-to-one assistance to complete the survey, please call 07889 111 575.
Please also visit one of our drop-in events or join our webinar - find out more about events.
Focus on north Cambridge
Our housing development team will not be able to address every concern or suggestion raised by the community through the emerging Framework for Change.
However, other teams in the council are also reviewing the consultation feedback and using the insights to help shape improvement plans and guide small-scale investments in the north of the city.
The communities team will be coordinating some of this wider work, bringing local partners together to work strategically as well as working to secure additional funding to support the community’s priorities.
This includes a programme launched in June 2025 using government's Shared Prosperity Funding, which supports local community and voluntary sector organisations to build capacity, and provide support services and projects that enhance the local community.
Following a number of collaborative workshops and conversations with local community and voluntary sector organisations in north Cambridge, eight local projects have been awarded £3,000 to £20,000, totalling £115,000. More information on these projects will be available soon.
