Affordable housing is helping people stay close to their families, friends, jobs and the communities they call home. During Rural Housing Week, Cambridgeshire ACRE’s Rural Housing Enablers, Gary Roffey and Russell Moore, joined our partner housing association, CHS, to visit completed homes in Witchford and see a new development taking shape in Wimblington.

Meeting local need in Witchford

The first stop was Witchford in East Cambridgeshire, where a Cambridgeshire ACRE Housing Needs Survey identified a clear need for affordable homes for local people. Working with partners, CHS developed a scheme of 17 homes, delivered in two phases. Thirteen homes were completed in 2019, with a further four bungalows finished in 2025.

Today the development provides 11 affordable rented homes and six shared ownership properties, giving local people more opportunities to stay in the village they know and love.

Phase 1 homes (2019) and new bungalows (2025)

During the visit, Gary and Russell met resident Vince White, who moved into his affordable rented bungalow when the first phase was completed.

Returning to Witchford meant Mr White could once again live in the community where he had previously lived, close to familiar faces and local services. He also spoke about the strong sense of community that has developed among residents.

“We all look after each other here.”

His story is a reminder that rural affordable housing is about much more than bricks and mortar. It helps people remain part of the communities that matter most to them.

Vince White outside his bungalow

New homes taking shape in Wimblington

The visit continued in Wimblington, where CHS is building 14 new affordable homes for local people. The development will include ten affordable rented homes and four shared ownership properties.

A Cambridgeshire ACRE Housing Needs Survey carried out in 2019 identified 27 households with a local connection who needed affordable housing in the parish. Construction began in December 2025 and the first homes are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Built by Marfleet & Bradshaw, the homes will include air source heat pumps and solar PV panels, helping to reduce energy bills and environmental impact.

As with all rural exception site developments, local lettings criteria will ensure that people with a strong connection to Wimblington are given priority when the homes become available.

Construction site and project team

Working together to support rural communities

These two developments show what can be achieved when local communities, housing associations and local authorities work together.

It all starts with understanding local need. Housing Needs Surveys provide the evidence needed to demonstrate demand, while strong partnerships help turn that evidence into high-quality homes that allow local people to remain in the villages they call home.

If your parish would like to explore whether there is a need for affordable housing, Cambridgeshire ACRE’s Rural Housing Enablers are here to help.

Gary Roffey
Email: gary.roffey@cambsacre.org.uk
Telephone: 01353 865031

Russell Moore
Email: russell.moore@cambsacre.org.uk
Telephone: 01353 865040