Fears for future of estate after demolition

Butcher John West says there is a "huge sense of community" in the area

Traders fear an £80m plan to demolish and regenerate a deprived estate could put their livelihoods at risk.

Cambridge City Council has proposed building about 400 new homes in the north of the city, but this includes demolishing the shopping precinct at Arbury Court.

The local authority hopes the redevelopment will improve living conditions and it says commercial units will be "re-provided" for businesses.

But John West, who runs a butcher's at Arbury Court, is worried the cost of leases will be unaffordable after the redevelopment.

He currently leases the unit - where he has been for 20 years - from the council.

Mr West said he welcomed some aspects of the plan, but was also worried about the money he would spend on having to relocate.

"We are genuinely worried that when it's all over we won't be able to afford the new lease prices for the places they have built," he said.

"It's a genuine worry whether my business will survive any sort of transition and renovation... it would be devastating, a disaster for us, and I think for the local community."

He said it cost about £10,000 each time he moved his refrigeration equipment and that he was worried whether he could continue employing staff throughout the process.

"The great thing about the court is that there is a genuine mixing [of demographics], community and a real sense of communal fun here."

John Lister said his lease was due to end in 2030 but he has had no assurances about what happens next

The city council proposes building more than 200 new council homes and 200 new private homes across Arbury Court and the Kingsway estate.

Council flats would need to be demolished, including in Brackley Close.

The area is one of the most deprived in the city, the council says.

John Lister, 42, who owns a bike shop at the precinct, wants more information.

"I know probably about as much as I did a year ago when they started this," he said.

"I don't even know if I will actually have a business at the end of this... we have had no real information, that is the most frustrating thing."

The plans for the area include demolishing 149 council flats at Arbury Court (pictured), Kingsway and Brackley Close to make way for redevelopment

Shoppers shared mixed views.

Malcom Everett, 65, said the area needed an "update", but Karen Newman, 58, urged planners to "leave it well alone".

Malcom Everett said the court area needed sprucing up, while Karen Newman urged planners to "leave it well alone"

The council has said tenants in the affected flats will be supported and compensated.

It has cited issues such as damp, mould and fire risks in the current buildings.

Gerri Bird, the Labour executive councillor for housing, told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire traders would be supported through the transition, but there was no guarantee rents would not increase.

Earlier this month, she also 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."

The redevelopment is due to be discussed at a council meeting on Tuesday.