Our Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP) funds and delivers projects that will improve the city. Projects must make a lasting and noticeable improvement to their local area.
Previous projects have improved parks and recreation grounds, landscaped areas and roadside verges. We have added and improved fencing and gates, wildflower areas and community gardens, benches, street trees and notice boards.
Anybody can suggest a project or help us decide which ones to fund by liking or commenting on ideas when an application round is live. Then you can suggest, comment on and vote for projects, before councillors decide which ones to fund. We host the project on our engagement platform.
Funding of up to £25,000 is available from a limited budget for each project, with a preferred minimum value of £5,000. We usually cannot fund all proposed projects in any given year.
The most recent proposal process took place in 2023, and the chosen projects are being delivered. We asked for ideas from June to August and for votes on them in August and September.
Analysis, decision and prioritisation took place from September 2023 to January 2024. All current projects are listed below.
If funding is available, we expect to begin the process again in summer 2025.
The EIP programme has run since 2004. We review it regularly to ensure it continues to provide value to Cambridge and its communities. We last reviewed it in 2022.
If your project is not eligible for EIP funding, you could investigate developer contributions (S106 funding) or other grants and funding.
New projects and approval
The application process is now closed until it can be run again, likely to be sometime from the summer of 2025, if funding is still available within the Councils budget allocations.
For new projects we will prioritise project proposals using a 'red-amber-green' mechanism to assess their eligibility. We will consider aspects such as viability, value for money and future maintenance requirements. Local support for each project, based on comments and votes on our engagement platform, will inform each decision.
In previous years, local councillors agreed funding for most projects at area committees. These committees are no longer active, so the executive councillor will decide which future projects to fund following consultation with all ward Councillors.
Projects valued at more than £10,000 need strong local support. They must focus on a key objective that fits with our corporate priorities. These were known as strategic projects in previous years. In future funding rounds the strategic objective will be biodiversity net gain.
Environmental Improvement Programme projects
The following projects have been approved in recent funding rounds for our Environmental Improvement Programme. The list was last updated in October 2024.
East area
| Application round | Project name | Project description | Status and delivery target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Improving biodiversity - East Road/ St Matthew’s housing area | Wildflowers/ grasses to be planted in public space | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Summer 2025 |
| 2022/23 | Biodiversity & social interaction improvements, ‘St Matthews Street | Enhance greenspace around ‘Maple Tree’ corner opposite Edward Street | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Spring 2025 |
| 2022/23 | Increase biodiversity and public wellbeing along Barnwell Road | To enhance key wildlife corridor and integrate with Rayson Way Community Art area. | Status: Project implementation. Delivery target: by end 2024 |
| 2022/23 | Increase biodiversity in Headly Street and Eagle Street (Iron Works site) with planting | This HRA/ CIP developed site is at an advanced stage of handover, with local engagement underway to identify priority areas for focus | Status: Project investigation/ engagement. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2025 |
| 2022/23 | A community garden on Peverel Road | Greenspace between Nos. 40-60 Peverel Road to be improved to reduce impact of vehicular damage | Status: Project scoping. Delivery target: by end Spring 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Rainwater collection for Millennium Gardens, Petersfield | Harness and recycle surface water discharge from council owned building and store for community usage | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by early 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Creating spaces for people to meet on Coleridge Recreation Ground | Picnic benches and cycle racks to be installed | Status: Local engagement. Delivery target: by end 2024 |
| 2023/24 | Rawlyn Road corner bench | Install a new bench | Status: Local engagement. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2024 |
| 2023/24 | New planters around Equiano pedestrian/ cycle bridge over River Cam. | Plant pollinators in containers near the footings of the Equiano Bridge | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Extend the successful ‘Green the Streets’ scheme in Petersfield ward- Phase 3 | Builds on the already successful greening Petersfield scheme through promotion of window boxes and hanging baskets. Focus on Perowne Street, Convent Garden, Mill Street, Cross Street and the Mill Road ends of Mawson and Glisson Roads | Status: Project implementation. Delivery target: by end 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Norfolk Street/ Mill Road Cemetery entrance blind corner needs` safety measures | Safety measures at the northern passageway entrance to Mill Road cemetery | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Spring 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Additional community notice board in North Petersfield | Community notice board for St Matthew’s Piece | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Winter 2024/25 |
| 2023/24 | Riverside area shrub bed planting | Renew planting beds including the one which runs down the length of River Lane and at the junction of Beche Road and Abbey Road | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Aberdeen Avenue garden, Accordia, or similar location greening | Replanting of dead hedge species along with a practical solution to rainwater re-harvesting | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Install bench in front of St Thomas’ Hall | Install bench to encourage social interaction and strengthen community cohesion | Status: Local engagement. Delivery target: by early 2025 |
| 2023/24 | 2 x community information noticeboards in Romsey | New notice boards near the Co-op and on Romsey Recreation Ground | Status: Local engagement. Delivery target: by end Winter 2024/25 |
North area
| Application round | Project name | Project description | Status and delivery target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Hazelwood Close - seating installation | To install a new public bench on green space | Status: On hold/ review of benefits. Targeted delivery; TBC |
| 2022/23 | Biodiversity and social interaction improvements to Green End Road Recreation Ground | Install benches and biodiversity improvements to green space | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2025 |
| 2022/23 | ‘Bee balconies’ - Pollinator-friendly planting for flats. | Considering and developing vertical pollinator corridor solutions. Project feasibility being investigated with applicant and On The Verge group | Status: On hold/ review of feasibility. Targeted delivery; TBC |
| 2022/23 | Restore bench(es) at the 'Cyclops' junction of Histon/ Gilbert Roads | Reinstall bench lost due to junction reconfiguration works | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by early 2025 |
| 2022/23 | Community planting in Minerva Way/ Kings Hedges Recreation Ground | Small community spaces to be developed to encourage pollinators/ community gardens/ food growing spaces | Status: Project scoping. Delivery target: by Spring 2025 |
| 2022/23 | Making the most of small spaces in King’s Hedges | Small community spaces to be developed to encourage pollinators/ community gardens/ food growing space | Status: Project scoping. Delivery target: by Spring 2025 |
| 2022/23 | Create a community haven on Green End Road, East Chesterton | Landscaping to promote biodiversity around Methodist Church and proposed community café. Awaiting Church committee decision on landscaping implementation | Status: Project engagement. Delivery target: by Summer 2025 |
| 2022/23 | Further benches - Scotland Road Recreation Ground | Additional Benches to be provided | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by Spring 2025 |
| 2023/24 | A second wildflower meadow in Five Trees green open space, off Fen Road | A second wildflower meadow and 2 x benches in the green space | Status: Project scoping, alongside separate S106 funded enhancements. Delivery target: by Autumn 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Water Street, Chesterton Preservation Plan | Restoring and managing bug hotels, creating wildlife corridors, planting wildflower meadow and promoting opportunities to engage with nature | Status: Engaging landowners for consent. Delivery target: by Spring 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Boosting biodiversity in ‘Happy Bee Streets’ | Happy Bee Streets – Ascham Road, Gurney Way and Atherton Close – is to provide an abundance and succession of food sources for pollinating insects | Status: Project implementation ongoing. Delivery target: TBC |
| 2023/24 | Provide raised planting beds in Hazelwood Close | Raised beds on the patch of grass where Hazelwood Close meets Molewood Close, such that the local community can fill them with shade-loving plants | Status: Project local engagement. Delivery target: by Spring 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Ramsden Square Recreation Ground biodiversity improvements | Improve biodiversity of the immediate and wider area - plant two deciduous trees on north-east and two on south-west areas of the recreation ground | Status: Project implementation. Delivery target: Winter 2024/25 |
| 2023/24 | Improve biodiversity and safety for children and dogs at Chesterton Recreation Ground | To improve safety by installing a gate at the entrance from Elizabeth Way | Status: Project engagement. Delivery target: by end 2024 |
| 2023/24 | Protection of grassy areas and biodiversity increase at junction of Verulam Way and Rutland Close | To implement improvements to increase biodiversity on the green space and protect the grass, and trees from compaction caused by vehicles parking | Status: Project engagement. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Enhancing biodiversity at Alexandra Gardens | To improve the biodiversity and amenity through a variety of biodiversity measures developed in consultation with residents, such as wildflower mounds, wooden insect habitats plus bird and bat boxes | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Spring 2025 |
South area
| Application round | Project name | Project description | Status and delivery target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-2019/20 | Cavendish Avenue | Road narrowing build-out, to enhance greening and deter traffic. County Highways have implemented parking management measures, which limits scope to achieve further benefit | Status: Review of benefits v costs; following completion of County Highways works. Delivery target: TBC |
| 2022/23 | Installation of drinking fountain in Hobson’s Square, Trumpington | Drinking fountain unviable, but external tap to be provided at Clay Farm Community Centre | Status: Project mobilisation. Delivery target: by Spring 2025 |
| 2022/23 | Public information board at Cherry Hinton Recreation Ground | Information board/ lectern to outline how the Recreation Ground was designated following WW1 | Status: Project mobilisation. Delivery target: by end 2024 |
| 2023/24 | Improvement to Cherry Hinton Recreation Ground by adding picnic benches | Installation of Picnic Benches near to the skatepark and children’s play area | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by Spring 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Reclaiming green spaces on Church End/ Rosemary Lane through tree planting | Plant new trees and bushes along the verges on Church End, Cherry Hinton | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end of 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Benches for Wulfstan Way | Install 3 to 4 benches along Wulfstan Way for rest and community interaction | Status: Project engagement and review. Delivery target: by end 2024 |
| 2023/24 | Growing ‘Nightingale Garden Community' by increasing biodiversity and engagement | A series of improvements that promote biodiversity | Status: Project engagement. Delivery target: by Spring 2025 |
West/ Central area
| Application round | Project name | Project description | Status and delivery target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Clivedon Close bench and landscaping | Awaiting replacement tree planting Winter 2024 prior to installation of bench | Status: Project mobilisation. Delivery target: by Spring 2025 |
| 2019/20 | Adam & Eve Street/ Paradise Street corner environmental enhancements | Re-landscaping and biodiversity enhancements | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2025 |
| 2022/23 | Christ’s Pieces environmental enhancement | Creation of a trade waste bin holding area to the rear of King Street businesses; to improve the local environment | Status: Detailed design with review of costs and benefits. Delivery target: by end Summer 2025 (if viable and dependent on planning approval) |
| 2023/24 | Histon Road Recreation Ground biodiversity improvements | Making the most of the trees, bushes and shrubs for promotion of wildlife by renewing and adding additional bird and bat boxes, creating areas of more appropriate meadow through native perennial turf | Status: project engagement. Delivery target: by end Spring 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Enhance biodiversity in Ascension Parish Burial Ground of Huntingdon Road | Creation of small pond to protect species which suffer during drought, bird boxes, paved area in front of community information boards, Sheffield hoop bicycle stands and fitting of dowels to gravestones for public safety | Status: Project engagement. Delivery target: by end Spring 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Enhance biodiversity at St Clement’s Church yard on Bridge Street | Creating a ‘Biodiversity Hub’ in the church yard, to promote interest in the local ecosystem and provide resources such as plants and seeds to enrich resident’s gardens | Status: Project engagement. Delivery target: by end Spring 2025 (planning approval permitting) |
Strategic projects
| Application round | Project name | Project description | Status and delivery target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Coleridge street tree and verge protection | Extension of the Perne Road verge protection scheme trial to neighboring Coleridge streets | Status: Review of scope, benefits and practicality. Delivery target: TBC |
| 2019/20 | Hurst Park estate - verge and footway parking protection | Introduction of Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit parking on verges and footways, thus avoiding damage | Status: Local engagement undertaken Summer 2022. Review need and scope in context of GCP changes in area. Delivery target: TBC |
| 2019/20 | Silver Street - river bridge streetscape enhancement | Public realm enhancements to be undertaken alongside redevelopment of public toilets | Status: Project design. Delivery target: by end Summer 2025 |
| 2022/23 | St Matthew’s Pieces - Improving biodiversity | Biodiversity improvements identified through local open space management plan. | Status: Project engagement. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2025 |
| 2022/23 | Improve street tree canopy cover in Hobart Road | To plant several trees in former tree pits or green space | Status: Project implementation. Delivery target: by end 2024 |
| 2022/23 | Create community gardens, increase biodiversity and beautify Tiverton estate | Increase biodiversity whilst making it a more welcoming and attractive area, with easy to maintain planting plus spaces for local food growing | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: by end Autumn 2025 |
| 2023/24 | Increase biodiversity and tree cover along Cherry Hinton Road | Cherry Hinton Road particularly west of Perne Road lacks greenery. Aspiration is to plant 3 trees into new engineered tree pits | Status: Project investigation. Delivery target: Autumn/ Winter 2025/26 |
| 2023/24 | Biodiversity Improvements on St Albans Recreation Ground | Promote biodiversity around the edges of the recreational space, in an area not used for sports, thus providing screening and protection from traffic | Status: Project mobilisation. Delivery target: by end Winter 2024/25 |
| 2023/24 | Biodiversity Improvements on Arbury Town Park | Promote biodiversity around the edges of the recreational space, in an area not used for sports, thus providing screening and protection from traffic | Status: Project mobilisation. Delivery target: by end Winter 2024/25 |
| 2023/24 | ‘Hedges for Kings Hedges’ - for Biodiversity and People Friendly Spaces. | Planting of new hedging to bolster established hedgerows and promote biodiversity across the ward | Status: Project mobilisation. Delivery target: by end Winter 2024/25 |
| 2023/24 | Greening Gilbert Road through tree planting | Planting or 1 or 2 two trees, with requisite tree pit infrastructure in the hard landscaped verge adjacent the new Aparthotel. Extension to previously committed project. | Status: Local engagement. Delivery target: by end Winter 2024/25 |
Local highway improvement projects
If your proposed project is on the highway, it might be more applicable for Local Highway Improvement funding.
Local councillors, community groups and individuals can apply to Cambridgeshire County Council for funding. The county council will provide up to £25,000 towards successful applications. At least 10% of the project cost must be met locally – we can help with this if the project meets an agreed priority.
Successful projects will be those that benefit the local community and help the county council manage its assets better. Examples include improved signs, road markings and crossings, speed management measures or parking controls.
Send your application for Local Highways Improvement funding to the county council. We will tell you if we think your proposal for EIP funding is ineligible but might be appropriate as a Local Highway Improvement.
- Find out more about privately funded highway improvements on the county council website.
