South Cambridgeshire and Hill Group get green light for 256-home passivhaus scheme

Councillors have approved proposals put forward by South Cambridgeshire Investment Partnership (SCIP), a joint venture between the district council and housebuilder The Hill Group, to deliver 256 low-carbon homes in Cambourne.

A total of 102 of the homes will be affordable, and 72 of these, have been designed using passivhaus principles and will be affordable rent properties owned and managed by South Cambridgeshire district council. The remaining 30 homes will be available for purchase through shared ownership.

The 9.64-hectare development, approved at the council’s planning committee last Wednesday, will be located beside Cambourne Business Park, and will incorporate a range of community amenities, including a café, public open spaces, and green space and play areas.

The team involved in the development include Carter Jonas as planning consultants, building services engineers from the Hill Partnership, landscape architects The Environment Partnership, CODA, Stantec and Geosphere. 

Insulation, air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and sustainable building services and controls will mean the development is gas-free and energy-efficient.

SCIP has set a target to increase biodiversity net gain (BNG) from the development by 20%. The percentage of BNG mandated by the government is 10%. Some of the BNG will be achieved at the development, while the remaining percentage will be delivered nearby. 

New trees, hedgerows, and wildflowers will be planted while existing trees will be preserved.

The approved plans include provision of electric vehicle charging stations and storage for more than 800 bicycles.  

Tom Hill, SCIP board member and managing director at The Hill Group said, “We’re delighted by this outcome, which will enable SCIP to continue its investment in the area and provide hundreds of high-quality homes in Cambourne. Developing a site with strong green credentials that align fully with the council’s Corporate Asset Plan to deliver cleaner, greener, zero-carbon futures for local communities is a key priority for SCIP. The Cambourne site embodies these values and will help play a role in creating a more sustainable future.”