Cambridge couple pleased with plans to demolish 'eyesore' flats
There are calls to keep some of the existing homes on Ekin Road
Last updated 4th Jul 2024
A couple living on a Cambridge housing estate say they're pleased their home is due to be demolished.
Of the 122 homes on Ekin Road, the city council wants to knock down all but 14 houses to the south of the estate.
Cambridge City Council said demolition and redevelopment has been agreed due to some council homes on Ekin Road having "significant maintenance and structural issues", as well as addressing housing supply issues.
"It needs a change"
Aaron and Shiv have been living on the estate for almost a year, and are waiting when they will be rehoused.
"I think it's a good idea that hopefully it gets knock down; I know a lot of residents here that have been complaining about mould and cracks in the building," Aaron, who grew up on the estate, said.
"We've seen some evidence ourselves and it needs a change.
"I've seen it from a little kid, even knowing the people around here; it's sad but it's good (decision) and the flats are an eyesore."
Shiv, who said herself and Aaron should know more next month where they could move to, is pleased their home is set to be demolished.
"We've got structural problems in the building; there's so much work to be done and we'd be pleased for this to be knocked down," she said.
"I don't know how to explain it, not disappointed but pleased because these are old flats and no renovation is going to sort them out because they're so old."
Plea to save six homes
In a statement, the Save Ekin Road group said it's pleased with most of the city council's plans but has called for six homes in the north-east of the Ekin Road estate to be saved from demolition.
Dr Maurice Chiodo, from the group, is one of those whose homes have been saved.
"It's unsettling when someone comes and says 'we want to take your home' and there's nothing you can do about it, we're very relieved after two years, this saga for us personally is now over as the council is not going to be demolishing any of the 14 houses," he said.
"The feeling on the street is the flats should come down.
"They're old, dated and have had serious problems but the houses are very well-built, warm, comfortable and residents are very unhappy they're losing their long-term family homes."
Speaking on what he wants the council to do, Dr Chiodo added: "People will suffer immensely if they're forced to move, so please make a slight modification to your plans, do the rest of the project, but build around and leave those six houses in the corner and then you've reached an entire street consensus."
Plans to take shape next year - council
Cambridge City Council has been considering what to do with the Ekin Road estate for several years, including refurbishing the homes or a complete redevelopment of the area.
A council spokesperson said it will give sufficient time for people to relocate from Ekin Road to a house of their choice.
"While some tenants may be able to find a suitable new home quickly, it will take some time to complete the work to match all affected tenants," the spokesperson said.
"A planning application for the site is expected to be submitted in early 2025.
"Once submitted, the planning application will be subject to a consultation period during which people will have a further opportunity to feed into the proposals."