Shaping Abbey

We’re taking a new approach to finding out what people think about proposals for their neighbourhoods across the city, so we can work more closely than ever with residents and other local organisations to help develop them.

In Abbey ward, in the northeast of Cambridge, local residents and organisations have so far come together for a number of community conversation events, as part of the Shaping Abbey project.

More than £100 million is proposed to be invested in Abbey in the coming years, in order to create new homes and community facilities alongside wider development for the area. Among the plans for the ward, which have been discussed at the Shaping Abbey sessions, are:

the transformative new East Barnwell development at the heart of the ward
emerging proposals for the redevelopment of ageing properties at the Ekin Road estate
the ‘Focus on Abbey’ programme, which has funding earmarked for locally focused community projects
community led projects to improve health, education and career prospects
further investment in sports and leisure facilities

The Shaping Abbey conversation events also provide a drop in opportunity for people to talk to officers from a range of council teams about anything that might be affecting residents or communities.

New housing and community facilities

We are leading on the two major regeneration projects in Abbey, East Barnwell and Ekin Road.

East Barnwell: The transformative new East Barnwell centre at the heart of the ward near the Barnwell Road/Newmarket Road roundabout will feature 120 modern, sustainable council homes, a new community centre and library, pre-school, new commercial units and improved public green spaces. To find out more visit the Future of East Barnwell website.
Ekin Road: Emerging proposals for the redevelopment of ageing properties at the Ekin Road estate will provide modern, energy-efficient new homes, including new council homes – some of which will be much-needed new three- and four-bedroom family properties. For the latest information visit the Ekin Road website.

If you are impacted by either of these redevelopment projects or have any questions or concerns, contact us at eastbarnwell@cambridge.gov.uk or ekinroad@cambridge.gov.uk.

Other proposals for further regeneration in and around Abbey ward are being delivered by developers rather than by us. These include Cambridge Retail Park on Newmarket Road and the Beehive Centre off Coldham’s Lane.

Focus On Abbey, council grants and more

Through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, £282,000 has been allocated to a project called Focus On Abbey. This is bringing together people from the community, voluntary, charitable, public and private sectors to support community led projects aimed at empowering local people to improve quality of life in the area.
By working collaboratively with health partners, investment has been secured to provide additional support to residents of Abbey who have been unable to work for some time due to long term health conditions.
Our Community Grants fund is continuing to help fund a number of projects in the ward, including a food hub, a junior youth club for eight to 13 year olds, networking events and farming sessions for members of the community at the nearby Cambridge CoFarm.

Community led projects

We are also supporting some brilliant community led projects in the area with funding and advice, including:

Abbey in Action: Ten residents with leadership potential are being supported to develop their voices, collaborative skills and personal networks, and to help build a community-led plan for a happy, healthy and safe Abbey. Email heather@togetherculture.com.
Parent Power: Parents are working collectively to campaign against educational inequalities and create positive change for their children and local community by being trained in community organisation skills. Email hannah.rogers@thebrilliantclub.org.
Enterprise Facilitator: Allia are placing an Enterprise Facilitator in key locations in the community to engage, inspire, coach and connect local people with entrepreneurial and business potential so that they can make tangible progress with their career. Email martin.clark@allia.org.uk and neil.prem@allia.org.uk.
CoFarm: Work on implementing the full masterplan for the flagship CoFarm, including the creation of infrastructure such as a multifunctional Community Barn and training and learning experiences. Alongside this, increasing the subscription model roll-out and food distribution points. Email lucy.shepherd@cofarm.co and gavin.shelton@cofarm.co.
Social Supermarket: Enabling the transition of Abbey Food Hub away from emergency food distribution towards a healthy and affordable food provision (Social Supermarket) for residents. Email nicky.shepard@abbeypeople.org.uk.
Food Skills: With Cambridge Sustainable Food, this project aims to boost the community’s understanding of healthy food opportunities including through a food skills kitchen. Email sam@cambridgesustainablefood.org.

Sports and leisure facilities

Plans for significant investment in sports and recreation opportunities in Abbey are taking shape, including through use of Section 106 contributions from developers and via exciting partnership work with health organisations.

We are currently having conversations with the community about some of these emerging plans, including for bowls, tennis, BMX and multi-use games area facilities at public events across the summer and autumn. To find out more email sport@cambridge.gov.uk.

Shaping Abbey public events

Three Shaping Abbey public events have taken place so far, in March, June and October 2024.

We will publish details of future Shaping Abbey events here.

Local news and updates

Abbey People, Cambridge Ahead, Cambridge City Council and The Brilliant Club Launch Groundbreaking Initiative (Cambridge Ahead, 21 August)
Abbey People launches Abbey Works Health and Employment Hub (Abbey People, 19 August)
Changes to CoFarm veg at Abbey Food Hub (Abbey People, 1 August)
Full house for first public meeting to help shape a bright future for Abbey ward (Cambridge City Council, 18 March)

Cambridge City Council