A new neighbourhood of 70 homes will be built on the former Travis Perkins site in Cambridge after demolition work was completed. Plans for Devonshire Gardens, off Mill Road, were approved in August 2022 after developers scaled back the plans to provide 70 homes rather than 100.
There will be two residential blocks and four commercial buildings at the development. There will also be a central garden.
Cambridge City Council’s planning committee approved several minor design amendments to the planning application in May 2024. The amended plans submitted by developer Railpen include adding more solar panels, increasing the number of trees at the entrance points, and introducing more restrictions for vehicles.
Each home will also have electric air source heat pumps to reduce energy bills and environmental impact at the development. The apartment layouts have been improved to create more space for residents, while balconies and roof terraces are also planned.
Richard van Lente, Senior Asset and Development Manager, Railpen added: “We are delighted to have received approval from the Council to further enhance Devonshire Gardens’ sustainability credentials and look forward to welcoming the community at our webinar event to provide an update on the progress on site. We strive to deliver developments that benefit the lives of future residents and surrounding communities, and we are proud to deliver this while recognising our commitment to protecting the environment.
“We are pleased that Cambridge City Council are aligned with us in our vision to make Devonshire Gardens a community space for all to enjoy.”
A webinar to update residents on the development will be held on Monday, June 24, at 2pm. Residents will be able to ask the development team questions.
Doug Higgins, Development Director at Socius, said: “Once construction is completed, Devonshire Gardens will be more than just a sustainable living space for future residents – it will be a community hub where residents, workers and members of the surrounding community can gather to enjoy nature and each other’s company. We look forward to moving into the next phase of our construction and delivering what we hope will be a real asset for residents of Devonshire Road and the surrounding neighbourhoods.”