Benedict Binns
@benedictbinns.bsky.social
Assistant Director, Development, Cambridge City Council. MRICS. Passionate about regeneration and sustainability. Walker, father of 3 and NCFC season ticket holder. Posts are my own.
Change is coming - here’s the argument for a greater Cambridge unitary
Local government is being reorganised, giving us a chance to simplify governance structures in our area. We think a unitary council covering Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire is the best option for local residents - here's why:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2kk...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2kk...
The future of Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire councils
YouTube video by Cambridge City Council
www.youtube.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Change is coming - here’s the argument for a greater Cambridge unitary
More detail on govts ambition for affordable housing. It is definitely moving in the right direction.
Today, we have set out our plan to kickstart a decade of social and affordable housing renewal. Here’s how we’ll do it 🧵
July 2, 2025 at 10:18 PM
More detail on govts ambition for affordable housing. It is definitely moving in the right direction.
Reposted by Benedict Binns
We're planning to improve the Corn Exchange as part of our Cambridge Civic Quarter project 🎤
Would our planned works make you more likely to visit the Corn Exchange as a venue?
👉 Complete our latest Cambridge Civic Quarter survey: https://orlo.uk/nFFUO
Would our planned works make you more likely to visit the Corn Exchange as a venue?
👉 Complete our latest Cambridge Civic Quarter survey: https://orlo.uk/nFFUO
June 16, 2025 at 9:04 AM
We're planning to improve the Corn Exchange as part of our Cambridge Civic Quarter project 🎤
Would our planned works make you more likely to visit the Corn Exchange as a venue?
👉 Complete our latest Cambridge Civic Quarter survey: https://orlo.uk/nFFUO
Would our planned works make you more likely to visit the Corn Exchange as a venue?
👉 Complete our latest Cambridge Civic Quarter survey: https://orlo.uk/nFFUO
Reposted by Benedict Binns
Our proposals for the Guildhall:
🔸 Improved accessibility in the Council Chamber
🔸 A public café
🔸 Modernising to save on energy costs
🔸 Earning income from modern office spaces
👉 Have your say in our Cambridge Civic Quarter survey: https://orlo.uk/2kXSH
🔸 Improved accessibility in the Council Chamber
🔸 A public café
🔸 Modernising to save on energy costs
🔸 Earning income from modern office spaces
👉 Have your say in our Cambridge Civic Quarter survey: https://orlo.uk/2kXSH
June 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Our proposals for the Guildhall:
🔸 Improved accessibility in the Council Chamber
🔸 A public café
🔸 Modernising to save on energy costs
🔸 Earning income from modern office spaces
👉 Have your say in our Cambridge Civic Quarter survey: https://orlo.uk/2kXSH
🔸 Improved accessibility in the Council Chamber
🔸 A public café
🔸 Modernising to save on energy costs
🔸 Earning income from modern office spaces
👉 Have your say in our Cambridge Civic Quarter survey: https://orlo.uk/2kXSH
A great summary on the housing announcements. More detail needed but very encouraging
Nice chart here which puts today's housing announcements in context. It is a good amount, compared with recent years. Though note:
- Construction costs have risen particularly fast (50% up on 2021)
- Government wants to focus on social rent, so subsidy won't stretch so far in terms of numbers.
- Construction costs have risen particularly fast (50% up on 2021)
- Government wants to focus on social rent, so subsidy won't stretch so far in terms of numbers.
How ambitious is the Government’s newly announced affordable homes programme?
It is significantly bigger than recent funding packages, and almost as big (in annual terms) as the programme delivered by the last Labour government ⤵️
It is significantly bigger than recent funding packages, and almost as big (in annual terms) as the programme delivered by the last Labour government ⤵️
June 11, 2025 at 6:41 PM
A great summary on the housing announcements. More detail needed but very encouraging
This looks like very good news for affordable housing but as always we need to look at the detail.
Looks like the FT rumours of a real-terms cut to the Affordable Homes Programme weren't correct. Press release has now confirmed a significant uplift in funding for social housing - very good news.
The Housing Forum welcomes the Chancellor's announcement of £39bn funding for a 10-year Affordable Homes Programme. This is a 50% uplift on the size of the previous programme, at £3.9bn per year - up from £2.3bn per year - to build new social rent, Affordable Rent and shared ownership homes.
June 11, 2025 at 6:14 AM
This looks like very good news for affordable housing but as always we need to look at the detail.
If the government wants to be transformative then this is one way to get more housing. This and more flexible grant funding with discounted PWLB would turbo boost council housing.
This is an important recognition of the huge social and economic benefits of social housing, and how investment in new and existing stock can unlock huge benefits for London and the rest of the country. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Treat social housing as critical infrastructure to unlock billions, says Peabody boss
Exclusive: Giving social housing same status as roads and energy would mean more investment in sector major providers say is at breaking point
www.theguardian.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
If the government wants to be transformative then this is one way to get more housing. This and more flexible grant funding with discounted PWLB would turbo boost council housing.
Reposted by Benedict Binns
📣 We have published our updated proposals for the Corn Exchange, Cambridge Market and the Guildhall - part of our #CivicQuarter project
📣 Take a look and complete our short survey to tell us what you think: www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/05...
📣 Take a look and complete our short survey to tell us what you think: www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/05...
May 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
📣 We have published our updated proposals for the Corn Exchange, Cambridge Market and the Guildhall - part of our #CivicQuarter project
📣 Take a look and complete our short survey to tell us what you think: www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/05...
📣 Take a look and complete our short survey to tell us what you think: www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/05...
Best 0-0 I’ve seen in a long time
April 8, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Best 0-0 I’ve seen in a long time
Reposted by Benedict Binns
🏡 We're starting to build 423 homes this spring
🏡 We broke ground at East Barnwell today, where we'll be building 120 new council homes alongside new community facilities
🏡 And across three other sites there'll be 133 more council homes plus 171 homes for sale
📱 www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/03...
🏡 We broke ground at East Barnwell today, where we'll be building 120 new council homes alongside new community facilities
🏡 And across three other sites there'll be 133 more council homes plus 171 homes for sale
📱 www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/03...
March 21, 2025 at 1:56 PM
🏡 We're starting to build 423 homes this spring
🏡 We broke ground at East Barnwell today, where we'll be building 120 new council homes alongside new community facilities
🏡 And across three other sites there'll be 133 more council homes plus 171 homes for sale
📱 www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/03...
🏡 We broke ground at East Barnwell today, where we'll be building 120 new council homes alongside new community facilities
🏡 And across three other sites there'll be 133 more council homes plus 171 homes for sale
📱 www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/03...
History tells us that if you want to build 1.5m homes you need to build more council homes. Let’s hope the govt is listening
1/ Happy Valentine's Day ❤️. On this day in 1951, Mr and Mrs Snoddy, their two children and pet tortoise moved into a three-bedroomed flat in Gladstone House, the first residents of the Lansbury Estate in east London.
February 14, 2025 at 8:36 AM
History tells us that if you want to build 1.5m homes you need to build more council homes. Let’s hope the govt is listening
Reposted by Benedict Binns
💭 Ever wondered what the council is doing to address the housing affordability crisis in #Cambridge?
🏡 Read the recent blog about our housebuilding programme from our Executive Councillor for Housing, Cllr Gerri Bird, to find out more: www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/02...
🏡 Read the recent blog about our housebuilding programme from our Executive Councillor for Housing, Cllr Gerri Bird, to find out more: www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/02...
February 4, 2025 at 6:57 PM
💭 Ever wondered what the council is doing to address the housing affordability crisis in #Cambridge?
🏡 Read the recent blog about our housebuilding programme from our Executive Councillor for Housing, Cllr Gerri Bird, to find out more: www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/02...
🏡 Read the recent blog about our housebuilding programme from our Executive Councillor for Housing, Cllr Gerri Bird, to find out more: www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2025/02...
Reposted by Benedict Binns
@camcitco.bsky.social supporting this campaign to build more council homes.
www.linkedin.com/posts/1-5m-n...
www.linkedin.com/posts/1-5m-n...
1.5M New Homes on LinkedIn: #1p5mnewhomes #cambridgecouncil #housingdelivery #councils…
In this episode we visit East Barnwell, where Cambridge City Council wants to build 120 new homes, a community centre, library and other commercial units in…
www.linkedin.com
January 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
@camcitco.bsky.social supporting this campaign to build more council homes.
www.linkedin.com/posts/1-5m-n...
www.linkedin.com/posts/1-5m-n...
@camcitco.bsky.social supporting this campaign to build more council homes.
www.linkedin.com/posts/1-5m-n...
www.linkedin.com/posts/1-5m-n...
1.5M New Homes on LinkedIn: #1p5mnewhomes #cambridgecouncil #housingdelivery #councils…
In this episode we visit East Barnwell, where Cambridge City Council wants to build 120 new homes, a community centre, library and other commercial units in…
www.linkedin.com
January 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
@camcitco.bsky.social supporting this campaign to build more council homes.
www.linkedin.com/posts/1-5m-n...
www.linkedin.com/posts/1-5m-n...
The case for direct subsidy is strong -
Councils want this, RPs want this and developers want this.
Councils want this, RPs want this and developers want this.
More housing related brutality, entirely correct IMO. Also agree on points re. zoning (desperately need).
"...The case for more direct subsidy here is strong. It should replace the appallingly inefficient and costly system of cross-subsidy from private housebuilding..."
ifs.org.uk/articles/str...
"...The case for more direct subsidy here is strong. It should replace the appallingly inefficient and costly system of cross-subsidy from private housebuilding..."
ifs.org.uk/articles/str...
Strong language, Sir Keir. Now back up your housing pledge with action | Institute for Fiscal Studies
The prime minister’s rhetoric on housebuilding is welcome, but it won’t be enough without a complete overhaul of the planning system.
ifs.org.uk
January 8, 2025 at 7:25 AM
The case for direct subsidy is strong -
Councils want this, RPs want this and developers want this.
Councils want this, RPs want this and developers want this.
Reposted by Benedict Binns
🏡✨ Last week we celebrated the completion of our #CambridgeInvestmentPartnership Buchan Street development in King's Hedges, welcoming tenants into 28 brand-new one and two-bedroom council homes.
🏡✨ www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2024/12...
🏡✨ www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2024/12...
December 19, 2024 at 3:33 PM
🏡✨ Last week we celebrated the completion of our #CambridgeInvestmentPartnership Buchan Street development in King's Hedges, welcoming tenants into 28 brand-new one and two-bedroom council homes.
🏡✨ www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2024/12...
🏡✨ www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2024/12...
More partnership working in Cambridge
🏠 4 new modular homes are ready to welcome residents moving away from #homelessness in #Cambridge, providing a safe and comfortable space with the benefit of a fixed address. Multiple partners have contributed to this, led by It Takes a City Community Land Trust. www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2024/12...
December 14, 2024 at 10:08 AM
More partnership working in Cambridge
More than staff losing jobs - it will have a greater economic impact throughout Norwich. Very worrying.
Today's university in trouble is UEA, where 170 colleagues face compulsory redundancy. One or two of these stories a day right now. An utter disgrace, pouring all your taxes down the drain. Britain - the stupid land. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/deeply-...
Compulsory redundancies loom as 170 staff face axe at UEA
Announcement follows the departure of 400 staff members last year as efforts to close budget black hole continue
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 20, 2024 at 8:42 PM
More than staff losing jobs - it will have a greater economic impact throughout Norwich. Very worrying.
Fantastic opportunity to join one of the largest council house builders in the country.
Check out this job at Cambridge City Council: www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/40...
Check out this job at Cambridge City Council: www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/40...
Cambridge City Council hiring Project Manager Development in Cambridge, England, United Kingdom | LinkedIn
Posted 11:13:46 AM. Job DescriptionJoin one of the largest council house builders in the countryThe Role:You will be…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.
www.linkedin.com
November 18, 2024 at 8:12 PM
Fantastic opportunity to join one of the largest council house builders in the country.
Check out this job at Cambridge City Council: www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/40...
Check out this job at Cambridge City Council: www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/40...
On my Christmas list…
Picked this up again today - such a great overview of what led to the housing crisis & what we need we must do to get out of it.
& good to see @kwajo.bsky.social here 💚
& good to see @kwajo.bsky.social here 💚
November 16, 2024 at 7:52 PM
On my Christmas list…
This is a great summary of how local government can frame its ask.
November 14, 2024 at 11:01 PM
This is a great summary of how local government can frame its ask.
So not just SouthCambs…
A cash-strapped county found success with a 32-hour workweek to meet union demands and stay within budget, touting the positive effect on recruiting and retention. Employees enjoy the work-life balance.
A Washington county shifted to a 4-day workweek. It could be the future of work | CNN Business
Last summer, Kristen and Eric Rezabek were feeling pinched. Eric was considering taking on a 4-hour commute for higher paying jobs, while Kristen, who works two jobs, planned to add a full day to her ...
cnn.it
November 13, 2024 at 7:10 PM
So not just SouthCambs…
Reposted by Benedict Binns
This suggests quite a delay to the Future Homes Standard - it had been expected to *come into effect* in 2025 (at some point). But this suggests we won't even hear the government's response to the consultation - which closed in March - until next year, and the new rules won't take effect until 2027
Good news. Time to plough on with this: "Builders face ban on gas boilers in most new homes in England" www.ft.com/content/3a35...
November 11, 2024 at 2:42 PM
This suggests quite a delay to the Future Homes Standard - it had been expected to *come into effect* in 2025 (at some point). But this suggests we won't even hear the government's response to the consultation - which closed in March - until next year, and the new rules won't take effect until 2027