Cambridge Investment Partnership, the joint venture between Cambridge City Council and The Hill Group, has submitted a planning application to redevelop the vacant and outdated Stanton House site, located on Christchurch and Napier Street in Cambridge.
The proposals will replace the existing 33 one-bedroom sub-standard council flats and one two-bedroom house with 29 high-quality, sustainable council homes, including 12 one-bedroom council homes designed especially for people with learning difficulties.
In 2024, the Council’s Housing Scrutiny Committee approved plans to move residents out of the ageing buildings at Stanton House, following an independent report which found the existing homes fell below modern space standards and had poor energy performance and ongoing maintenance issues. The site was also found to have significant fire safety concerns, including insufficient fire protection within the building and the need for major work to meet current safety requirements. Redevelopment was considered the best option to provide homes that meet modern standards.
The proposed development comprises three residential buildings arranged around a central courtyard, orientated towards the adjacent church to enhance the setting and create a strong sense of place.
The courtyard will feature sensory play areas, landscaping and seating, increasing the open space across the development by 55%. The site will also deliver biodiversity enhancements designed to integrate sensitively with the surrounding area.
One of the buildings will provide specialist council accommodation, delivering 12 one-bedroom council homes designed for people with learning difficulties. This includes two M4(3) homes designed for wheelchair users. This specialist provision was designed collaboratively with Cambridgeshire County Council and Independent Living Services to meet identified local housing needs. A staff office and WC will also be included at the entrance to the building.
The remaining two blocks will provide 17 new council homes for local people on the housing register. The homes will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom properties, helping to meet a range of housing needs within the community.
Cllr Gerri Bird, Cabinet Member for Housing at Cambridge City Council and CIP Board Member, said: “We are committed to ensuring everyone in Cambridge has access to safe, high-quality and sustainable homes. Providing the right homes for residents with additional needs is a vital part of creating a more inclusive city.
“I welcome the inclusion of specialist accommodation at Stanton House, which will deliver high-quality purpose-built homes to help people with learning difficulties live more independently, with the support they need.”
In addition, all the council homes are designed to meet or exceed the ‘Cam Standard.’ Introduced by Cambridge City Council, this standard ensures that every new home delivers low operational energy usage, high levels of thermal comfort, and strong resilience to future climate impacts.
Tom Hill, Managing Director at The Hill Group, comments: “We are proud to be bringing forward these proposals, which will transform an outdated site into a thoughtfully designed development that delivers high-quality, energy-efficient homes.
Stanton House is located in the heart of Cambridge, a short walk from the city centre and immediately surrounded by some of the city’s best-used parks and open spaces, including New Square Park.
The site benefits from excellent access to shops, services and community facilities, as well as nearby bus routes and the Cambridge cycle network.
