East Cambridgeshire District Council has approved investment of more than £778,000 to deliver additional affordable housing in Ely and renewable energy infrastructure at Lake View Bereavement Centre in Mepal.

A grant of £405,000 has been awarded to East Cambs Trading Company to support the delivery of 100% affordable housing at Phase 3 of the Arbour Square development in Ely. The funding will enable nine homes originally intended for private sale to be provided as social rent properties, meaning all 13 homes on the scheme will now be affordable.

The council's Finance and Assets Committee also approved £373,107 for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on car park canopies at Lake View Bereavement Centre, with further work to explore the inclusion of battery storage technology.

The renewable energy system is expected to generate between 77,000 and 85,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, helping to reduce reliance on the grid, lower energy costs and further enhance the site's sustainability.

Officers identified two deliverable projects that will enable the council to make effective use of funding allocated through the Horizons Growth and Infrastructure Fund. The historic central government funding is held by Cambridgeshire Horizons and allocated to councils for projects that support sustainable local growth and provide community benefits.

Projects supported through the fund must be completed by May 2027. The council has selected investments that are achievable within this timeframe and will deliver significant benefits for the local community, ensuring the available funding is put to good use.

This represents a positive outcome for the council at a time when rising costs, reduced demand and legal or funding risks have made some previously approved projects elsewhere unviable. While some councils and organisations have had to withdraw proposals and have been unable to spend their allocations within the required deadline, East Cambridgeshire District Council has identified deliverable projects that will ensure its full allocation is invested locally for the benefit of residents.

Councillor Alan Sharp, Chair of the Finance and Assets Committee, said: "This investment demonstrates our commitment to making the most of every opportunity to benefit local residents.

"By supporting the delivery of more affordable homes in Ely, we are helping more people access high-quality housing at a price they can afford. At the same time, our investment in renewable energy at Lake View Bereavement Centre will reduce running costs, lower carbon emissions and support the long-term sustainability of one of the district's newest community facilities.

"These projects also ensure the external funding is fully utilised to deliver lasting benefits for East Cambridgeshire."

East Cambridgeshire District Council has committed to delivering sustainable communities, supporting affordable housing and investing in infrastructure that benefits residents now and in the future. The approved projects further those ambitions while ensuring all remaining Growth and Infrastructure Fund money is invested locally.