Families move in to their new council homes on Uphall Road

TWO Cambridge families are now settling in at their new council homes, constructed by Cambridge City Council employees on Uphall Road, after moving in recently.

The two families had both been on the waiting list for council housing, and will now be renting their homes directly from the council.

The semi-detached three bedroom homes are located on a site that was formerly council-owned garages, and are the first homes that the council’s own carpenters, bricklayers, electricians and apprentices have built for many years.

Both houses have high levels of energy efficiency with solar panels fitted to the roof and insulation that will help to reduce the tenants’ electricity bills.

The Uphall Road development forms part of an ongoing programme to build council housing on small council-owned sites around Cambridge.

Small developments such as this one at Uphall Road can be less commercially appealing to developers, so the council is looking the opportunity to be able to step in and do the work itself where possible.

Cllr Kevin Price, Executive Councillor for Housing, said: “I am thrilled that the two families are now safely moved in and enjoying their new homes at Uphall Road.

“When I spoke to them last week both families were delighted with how their homes had turned out, and this is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of the many council staff involved in their construction.

“After the great success of this project we are now looking forward to creating more homes in this way on smaller plots of land, as one of the many ways we are continuing to tackle the severe lack of affordable homes in Cambridge.”

As part of the devolution deal for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough agreed with the government, the council negotiated a grant of £70m from the government to build 500 new council homes. Part of this grant, along with Right To Buy receipts, will be used to pay for new homes being built in the coming years.