Readers have criticised changes to Cambridge’s Ekin Road redevelopment. The council says all 78 planned council homes will still be delivered and the changes are needed to secure Homes England funding.
CambridgeshireLive readers have been sharing their views on plans to reduce the amount of affordable housing on a council estate in order to secure funding from Homes England.
Cambridge City Council has been accused of “playing a dangerous game” after revising plans to redevelop a council estate in order to obtain funding. The vast majority of properties on Cambridge’s Ekin Road are scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt, with most now standing vacant.
Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP), a joint venture between Cambridge City Council and The Hill Group, lodged plans to construct 136 homes on the site. The 91 council homes would be replaced with 78 on the estate, alongside a further 120 built on the nearby East Barnwell development on Newmarket Road.
However, residents were taken aback when informed the plans had been revised following a “viability assessment” which concluded it would not be financially feasible to build 40 per cent social homes on the Ekin Road development. Instead, it was proposed this be cut to 20 affordable homes, representing 15 per cent of those constructed.
The council has reassured residents that all of the council homes will still be provided and this reduction is essential to secure funding from Homes England to convert the remaining 58 homes to council housing.
One reader, Carling4727 comments: “It’s all for profit, not the tennants.”
Tartan53 says: “Obviously being built to suit the council and builders finances, never mind building what is really required affordable housing.”
Over on our Facebook page, Heather S comments: “Their usual game plan!”
Neil H feels: “It’s awful. Look what has happened to the Grafton Burley Sreet, and Fitzroy Street. Won’t be there in another two years. Also, much of East Road”
Only H says: “And where did the money come from for the eco-friendly pilot scheme in Ross Street? £100,000s. Council Tax? Ordinary home owners get next to no help with such schemes.”
Tiffy T exclaims: “Wait, reducing social housing to get more funding for social housing?!”
Dominic G asks: “How do you ‘convert housing into council housing’, what’s that about?”
Leah E says: “Let’s call it what it really is, social cleansing.”
Danny Z thinks: “Uni pulled some strings, they need all the council houses gone so they can buy the land cheap and build more labs and student slums.”
Nick T believes: “This council has been played by big developers for decades. We need a corruption enquiry.”
Paul L writes: “The relationship between the left and the remaining Labour Party is pretty remote. The total lack of understanding about politics is driven by our media, right-wing politicians and poor education.”
Do you think the Council are right to reduce social housing? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
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