Representatives from government bodies, local councils and development partners gathered in the parish of Eltisley on 20 June to celebrate the opening of 9 new homes for local people, providing much-needed affordable housing for the area.
Above: Residents Patrick and Amanda Fox, centre, cut the ribbon
Hastoe Housing Association has worked in partnership with Eltisley Parish Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council and Homes England to deliver the new homes, which create a 33% increase in the village’s affordable housing provision.
The development represents the first new affordable homes to be built in Eltisley for more than 30 years. The homes have been built on a previous greenfield site owned by the Kamper family, who kindly gifted the land and provided £90,000 towards the development of the site, in exchange for receiving planning permission for three open market dwellings on their retained land.
All homes have been built to Hastoe’s New-Build Standard, which substantially exceeds Building Regulation Standard. The homes include construction elements of the anticipated Future Homes Standard, which aims to reduce carbon emissions. The homes all feature air source heat pumps, double glazing, LED lighting, increased insulation levels and electric vehicle charging points.
Ian Sollom, MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, said: “Shortage of affordable housing across the constituency is a real concern and I am delighted to see the provision of these new homes in Eltisley for local people. They are much needed in the area and a very welcome addition. And as well as increasing provision, it's also great to see that they are good quality affordable homes, which meet the very highest standard of net zero carbon targets. I hope the new occupiers will be very happy in their homes.”
Above: L-r Cllr Roger Pinner, Becky Ashley of Homes England, Cllr Peter Sandford and Lindy Morgan, Hastoe Board Chair, speaking at the event
Eltisley Parish Councillor Roger Pinner said: “In 2007 we undertook our first village survey, from which we produced our Parish Plan, and one of the most important tasks on it was the provision of low-cost housing in the village. Some 17 years later, we finally have our development! We are immensely grateful to the Kamper Family for providing the land, without which we would not be here; to Hastoe Housing, who secured the funding, planning consent, and progressed the building; and not forgetting the builders, who worked diligently through what was one of our wettest winters to complete this exceptional project. I welcome all of our new Eltisley residents and wish them happiness and success in our beautiful village.”
South Cambridgeshire District Councillor Peter Sandford said: “Prior to building these 9 new homes, there were only 27 affordable homes in Eltisley; 19 council properties and 8 housing association homes. The addition of these 9 affordable homes represents a 33% increase in affordable housing for the village, which is a hugely welcome boost.”
Above: L-r Cllr Roger Pinner, Becky Ashley of Homes England and Cllr Peter Sandford speaking at the event
Becky Ashley, Senior Manager – Affordable Housing Delivery at Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting stakeholders of all sizes to achieve their ambitions. This development in the parish of Eltisley is a prime example of how the Agency works collaboratively with partners, through the Affordable Homes Programme, to achieve our mission to build much needed new communities that people can be proud of.”
Lindy Morgan, Hastoe Board Chair, said: “Thanks to all our partners who made this development possible. All the homes are energy efficient, built to an extremely high-quality finish and benefit from beautiful design which suits the local area. Hastoe’s commitment to this project is now to care for the homes and provide excellent services to our residents, long into the future.”
Work began on site in November 2022, and the homes were completed in February 2025, owing to extensive archaeological excavation.
Development partners are architects and employer’s agent, The Design Partnership, and contractor DCH Construction.
Hastoe invested £1,267,454 of its own resources plus £270,000 Recycled Capital Grant Funding into the development, together with a Homes England grant of around £750,000. In total, the development has cost £3.5 million.
