Barnwell Square wins Transforming Places at the Government Property Awards
Barnwell Square, a development of 120 new council homes in East Barnwell, Cambridge, has won the Transforming Places category at the Government Property Awards 2026, recognising its contribution to the regeneration of the local area.
The development, delivered by Cambridge City Council and Hill’s housebuilding partnership Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP), is helping to shape the next chapter for East Barnwell through a combination of new council homes, community facilities, improved public spaces and better connections across the neighbourhood.
At the heart of the development are the 120 new council homes, providing a mix of social and affordable rent. Barnwell Square also includes a new library, community centre, preschool, commercial unit and a new public square, creating a new focal point for the local community.
The award recognises the contribution Barnwell Square is making to East Barnwell, bringing new homes, improved facilities and a stronger sense of place to the neighbourhood
Cllr Gerri Bird, Cambridge City Council Cabinet Member for Housing and CIP Board Member, commented: “I’m so happy that our 120 council home development has been recognised in this way, but Barnwell Square is about much more than the fantastic new homes. It is creating a place where people can live, access local services and spend time together, with new community facilities and public spaces that will benefit East Barnwell for years to come. “Our recent success in winning £96 million Homes England funding will help us go from strength to strength, building 1,400 more new, much-needed council homes in the city.”
Tom Hill, Managing Director of The Hill Group, said: “This award is a great recognition of the work that has gone into bringing Barnwell Square forward. The project demonstrates what can be achieved when public and private sectors work together around a shared vision, combining new council homes with the facilities, public realm and sustainable design needed to create a thriving neighbourhood.”
The development forms part of CIP’s wider commitment to improving accommodation standards for people living in existing council homes, building additional homes to meet local need across the city – with nearly 900 new council homes built since 2017, and addressing wider housing supply issues, such as the need for more large family homes.
The project has been delivered through CIP, alongside the wider project team and community stakeholders including Abbey People, bringing together public-sector priorities, development expertise and local knowledge.
Cambridgeshire County Council played an important role, transferring land and funding to support delivery. Once complete the County Council will retain long leases on the new library and preschool, ensuring modern education and community services remain embedded within the heart of the new neighbourhood.
Sustainability has also been incorporated throughout the development. The homes are designed to meet or exceed Cambridge’s Cam Standard, with gas-free heating, air source heat pumps and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. New green spaces, play areas, walking and cycling routes and a 20% biodiversity net gain are also being delivered as part of the project.
The Government Property Awards, now in their seventh year, recognise projects and programmes across the public sector that demonstrate excellence in areas including regeneration, sustainability, collaboration and placemaking.