Former Cambridge care home set to be demolished under new plans

A closed Cambridge care home is set to be demolished to make way for new Almshouses. The former Edward House care home in Albion Row, is due to be knocked down and replaced with new sheltered accommodation. The 15-bed care home closed in 2021 as it was found to be uneconomical to run.

The plans to build the new Almshouses were put forward by The Foundation of Edward Storey, a charity which offers sheltered housing for people over the age of 60 who are in financial need and have a connection to the Church of England. The charity proposed to replace the care home with 16 one-bedroom flats, creating an extension to its existing sheltered housing and facilities next door at Storey’s House.

The Foundation of Edward Storey told Cambridge City Council that all of the 47 apartments in the existing Storey’s House were full and that they had seven people on a waiting list. The charity said it takes “great pride” in caring for the homes it offers and the people who live in them.

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The proposals were considered by the city council at a planning committee meeting this week (June 11). Planning officers said the proposed redevelopment offered a “high quality” scheme with a design that was considered to be “appropriate to the area”, adding that it would “contribute positively to its surroundings”.

Councillor Katie Porrer said she “quite liked the look of the new building”. However, Councillor Martin Smart said he did not think the proposed building “looked good”, describing it as “brutal”. Although he said he was “not keen on the scheme” he said he recognised planning officer advice that the proposals were “reasonable”. When a decision on the application was put to a vote a majority of councillors voted to approve the plans.

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