Planning Committee, 24 June 2026, 10am

The Cambridge City Council Planning Committee met on June 24, 2026, to consider several planning applications, with a primary focus on the redevelopment of Hanover and Princess Court. This major project involves demolishing existing council housing and erecting 165 new homes, including a community room, parking, and landscaping. The council discussed the viability assessment extensively, which concluded that no affordable housing could be provided within the scheme due to financial deficits, although the council aims to seek Homes England funding to deliver affordable homes outside the planning process. The committee debated issues such as demolition methods, tree removal, heritage impact, daylight and sunlight effects, single-aspect homes, and sustainability measures including energy efficiency and biodiversity net gain. The application was ultimately approved with conditions including a site waste management plan and biodiversity credits. Additionally, the committee reviewed a large HMO development at New Market Road, addressing concerns about HMO concentration, daylight impact, and management plans, and approved it with a casting vote. Several smaller applications for external wall insulation to improve energy efficiency on council-owned properties were also approved. The meeting featured robust debate on planning policies, viability, and community impact, with multiple votes taken on key items.