Cambourne residents have voiced strong objections to retirement flat plans, with concerns over expected amenities including a pub for the South Cambridgeshire town
CambridgeshireLive readers have been debating proposals for Cambourne’s centre, the prospect of a new pub, and whether previous pledges have been honoured. Numerous comments centred on trust, finances, and what the town genuinely requires at present.
Residents have been left feeling frustrated over plans for retirement apartments after being “promised” a pub or community facility. Should the application receive approval, land off Back Lane, north of the Holiday Inn Express in Cambourne, would be transformed into 58 retirement apartments.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Planning Committee is scheduled to examine the proposals at a meeting on August 12, 2026. Cambourne Town Council said the application has “attracted significant interest and objections from members of our community”, noting that the Committee’s decision will be “an important one for Cambourne”.
The application, lodged by McCarthy Stone Retirement Lifestyles Limited, seeks to provide 58 apartments for individuals of retirement age and older. Of the 58 apartments, 39 would comprise one-bedroom units and 19 would be two-bedroom properties.
One of our readers, Fatsi comments: “We were promised 2 million pounds of new shops, then they said there were sewer pipes in the way. They closed down the police station and still haven’t told us why. We were promised a McMullens pub on that land, and all we get in Great Cambourne is retirement flats they can’t sell.”
Calumen Nomen said: “Pubs are closing by the dozen. No one is going to open a new one as long as this miserable excuse for a government is in place.”
2ndincommand writes: “Developers say all sorts of things in their applications. When Cambourne was first mooted, there was a golf course and an ice rink in it. What happened to them?”
Over on our Facebook page, Kevin S asks: “Does any company WANT to put one of their pubs there?”
Jayne R comments: “Retirement apartments, when I went to the concept centre years ago, when Cambourne was in its infancy, there were no plans for anything like that or social housing. Now they want a pub? Oh well, another slum in the making. Cambourne already has plenty of retirement flats which aren’t selling. More social facilities are needed in the centre of the town.”
What do you think would be the best option for Cambourne? Leave your thoughts below in the comments section or HERE.
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