Cambridge Investment Partnership have marked the milestone stage in the construction of new council homes at Colville Road phase two with a topping out ceremony.
Cllr Mike Todd Jones, Tom Hill, Regional Director of Hill, and Ward Councillors lay the final brick to signify the completion of the highest point of the development which will deliver 67 new council homes.
Cllr Mike Todd Jones, Executive Councillor for Housing at Cambridge City Council and CIP board member said: “‘It’s great to be part of this topping out ceremony and see the progress being made at Colville Road phase two to deliver much needed council homes to the local community.
“This development has enabled us to replace two blocks of 24 inefficient aging council homes and deliver 67 brand new sustainable council homes which will improve the lives of tenants and help them to minimise energy bills through the sustainable measures that are being included within the new homes.”
Colville Road will be a gas free development with heating and hot water provided via a communal Air Source Heat Pump system with a combination of photovoltaic and solar thermal panels located on the roof. Fabric improvements are also being made to reduce heat and energy loss, leading to the reduction in energy demand, along with fully insulated wall cavities, enhanced specification insulation in floors and roofs, and triple-glazed windows throughout.
Tom Hill, Regional Director of Hill commented: “We are really proud of what we are achieving as a partnership to create highly sustainable new communities across Cambridge. As we enter our fourth year now, we have already reached our target to start on site 500 new council homes a year early and have completed eight developments, delivering over 155 new council homes for local residents.
“We look forward to seeing more families move into their new energy-efficient homes at Colville Road phase two later this year.”
Biodiversity is also being enhanced at the development with new trees being planted to encourage insects and other wildlife as well as many of the existing trees being retained. Bird and bat boxes are also being introduced along the perimeter of the building.
Externally the homes at Colville Road will benefit from sedum green roofs, and extensive soft landscaping, which will provide infiltration of all surface water, to ensure there will be no offsite surface water discharge.
To promote clean travel and reduce air pollution, electrical vehicle charging points are being installed, with a total of 10 connections available as well as providing ample bicycle storage to encourage residents to use sustainable modes of transport.
Header image shows Richard Coates, Senior Site Manager Hill, Cllr Russ McPherson, Jim Pollard, Cambridge City Council, Cllr MIke Todd Jones, Tom Hill, Regional Director of Hill and AJ O’Neil, Contracts Manager for Hill.
