21 September 2026
South Cambridgeshire Investment Partnership (SCIP) has marked a major milestone at Cambium Square in Cambourne, celebrating the completion of the first homes and the development opening its doors to the public.
The milestone was marked with a ribbon-cutting celebration on 17th September, bringing together members of the partnership, the project team and members of the local community to celebrate the progress made in delivering 256 new homes.
Cambium Square is being delivered by South Cambridgeshire Investment Partnership, the 50:50 joint venture between South Cambridgeshire District Council and The Hill Group. Established in 2020, the partnership brings together the Council’s investment and understanding of local housing need with The Hill Group’s development expertise and investment to deliver new homes and create long-term value for South Cambridgeshire.
Located within the Cambourne Business Park, Cambium Square will provide 72 council homes for affordable rent, 30 shared ownership homes and 154 private sale homes. The 102 affordable homes will range from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom family homes, helping to provide a mix of housing to meet the needs of local residents.
Richard Stobart, South Cambridgeshire District Councillor and SCIP board member, said, “It was great to mark this milestone with partners and members of the local community who have helped bring Cambium Square forward. Seeing the development taking shape, with a strong mix of affordable and private sale homes alongside green spaces and community facilities, is a real positive for Cambourne and the local community.”
Sustainability is central to the design of Cambium Square. The homes will be gas-free and feature air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and high levels of insulation. The 72 council homes for affordable rent are being built to Passivhaus principles, supporting exceptional energy efficiency, year-round comfort and lower energy use for residents.
The development will also deliver a 20% increase in biodiversity through new trees, hedgerows and wildflowers, alongside the retention of existing greenery and investment in habitat creation at nearby Boxworth.
Green spaces will form an important part of the new community. A new foraging route will create a continuous traffic-free green corridor through the development, with edible planting and informal stopping points encouraging residents to engage with nature while supporting biodiversity and active travel.
The Orchard will provide another shared green space at the heart of Cambium Square, incorporating meadow grasses, Cambridgeshire fruit trees and informal play areas to create a place for residents to relax, socialise and connect with nature. The development will also include children’s play areas, parkland and a market square, along with a local amenity which could be in the form of a café.
Pedestrian and cycle routes will encourage car-free travel, with storage for more than 800 bicycles. Electric vehicle charging points will also be provided to support lower-emission travel.
Tom Hill, Managing Director of The Hill Group, said: “We are proud to see Cambium Square reach this important milestone and to be delivering SCIP’s first development alongside South Cambridgeshire District Council.
“The scheme reflects the ambition of the partnership to create a high-quality, sustainable community that responds to local housing needs. From the delivery of much-needed affordable homes to the focus on Passivhaus principles, biodiversity and green spaces, Cambium Square has sustainability and long-term community benefit at its heart.”
Cambium Square reflects SCIP’s shared ambition to deliver high-quality, sustainable and affordable homes, while generating income that can be reinvested by the Council to support local services.