What We Did
Significant numbers of new homes, to rent and to buy, are needed to meet pressing local demand and to address affordability. These new homes would give more people the opportunity to live where they choose to, close to friends, family, and workplaces, supported by appropriate facilities and services. Until September 2011, Horizons project managed major development sites across the county and supported the development of associated services and facilities, which would benefit both new and existing communities.
The Government prioritised Cambridgeshire as one of the key areas in need of additional investment to support growth, and as such the county received funding to provide quality new homes and supporting infrastructure, in conjunction with continued economic growth.
This funded supported much of the work that Horizons' project managed, included the delivery of:
- New homes across the county, including affordable housing
- Environmentally sustainable developments with space to play and relax
- Enhanced access to the countryside
- Integrated communities with good schools and healthcare provision
- New arts, leisure and community facilities
- Improved transport and utilities infrastructure
On a day-to-day basis a large part of Horizons' work was to bring together relevant agencies, statutory bodies and developers to ensure that effective delivery mechanisms were in place and that these projects were integrated into the phasing of the development programme. Two forums, one with developers, and one for sustainable infrastructure, were established and close working relationships developed with other sectors such as education and housing to ensure that a coordinated approach was taken not only within developments, but across the county as a whole. Our 2008-11 Business Plan sets out how we approached this significant task.
Read more about the key projects the Horizons' team worked on, and how it delivered the growth agenda.