Investment of £80m could see 150 homes torn down

Arbury Court in the north of Cambridge has a number of flats and businesses

Almost 150 council flats and several houses could be demolished as part of a plan to upgrade "one of the most deprived" areas of a city with an £80m investment, a council said.

Cambridge City Council proposes to build more than 200 new council homes and 200 new private homes, redeveloping Arbury Court shopping and community facilities, and improving local public spaces and parks north of the city.

To achieve this, it would need to demolish 149 existing council flats at Arbury Court, Kingsway and Brackley Close.

The council said affected residents were being contacted and their requirements would be taken into consideration.

The plans would see Arbury Court regenerated, replacing poor-quality council homes and commercial premises with 107 new council homes and 106 new private homes, a new library space, park and play area, and new commercial units for existing traders to move into, the city council said.

The proposals would also see the Kingsway council estate regenerated, replacing largely unfit council homes with 99 new council homes and 98 new private homes, with a new park to replace the existing open space.

Regarding the homes to be demolished as part of the process, the council said: "Many of the homes are in poor condition, with structural issues creating fire and safety risks, and widespread damp and mould issues.

"These issues mean that it is unaffordable for the council to continually repair and refurbish the homes to meet the standard that tenants deserve.

"Existing council tenants would be compensated and supported to find a council home in Cambridge that suits their personal requirements, including brand new homes, and provided practical and financial support to move."

Gerri Bird, the council's Labour cabinet member for housing, said: "Investing in regenerating these estates is the only viable way to provide our tenants with high-quality homes, which is our ongoing mission, as well as to enable us to build additional high-quality council homes to help address the shortage in the city."

Forty-six flats, which are privately owned but face many of the same structural issues, would need to be bought by the council, along with five privately owned houses next to the Kingsway estate.

Ms Bird added: "We're contacting everyone whose home may be affected this week, and while I know some may be alarmed by the news, we're also hearing really positive responses from many residents.

"We will support each and every household on a one-to-one basis to find a suitable new home if the plans go ahead.

"We'll look after you, and take into account your individual requirements."

The proposals are to be discussed at a council meeting on 21 October.