Work has started on phase one of the Windmill Estate redevelopment in Fulbourn near Cambridge. To mark the event leading Cambridgeshire housing association Accent Nene and construction partner Kier Partnership Homes (KPH) hosted a ceremony for people involved in the project. Dignitaries attending the event included chairman of Accent Group Allan Smith, South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) chairman Cllr Jim Stewart and Cllr Daphne Spink, portfolio holder for housing at SCDC.

Welcoming guests who were invited to witness the start of demolition works Allan Smith said: "Accent Nene enjoys a positive working relationship with South Cambridgeshire District Council and we are pleased that Councillor Stewart agreed to join us to officiate in the opening ceremony.

"Accent Nene has a long tradition of providing rural housing in partnership with other stakeholders. We hope that we can continue to build on this relationship to deliver more homes to meet the growing housing needs of local people."

Planning approval for the Windmill Estate redevelopment was granted in November 2007 following many months of negotiations between Accent Nene, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Fulbourn Parish Council and local residents.

The master plan for the estate includes new homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale with up to 273 new dwellings being built over a four phase programme.

Phase one of the redevelopment includes 120 new dwellings and a new community centre. The community building will replace the existing facility in Haggis Gap and will include a community hall and provision for the Fulbourn volunteer library service. KPH has started work with the demolition of the existing community centre and houses prior to starting construction work. Phase 1a is due for completion by early 2009.

John Walton, development and regeneration manager at Accent Nene, said: "This is a momentous day marking a significant and exciting step forward for the project. With demolition underway Accent Nene and SCDC can now start building new homes for local residents. Today marks an important milestone in the progress of the project and justifies all the hard work that has been put into it over the past three years that has involved a number of local partners.

"This project demonstrates Accent Nene's commitment to creating 'sustainable communities' on complex projects that can secure benefits for the whole community.

"The next stages will see Accent Nene focusing on the delivery of phase 1 starting from today."

KPH managing director Dennis Seal added: "We are delighted that demolition work has now started, particularly as this is the first project of this size and nature that we have worked on with Accent Nene through its framework partnership.

"We are looking forward to working with Accent Nene and local residents to successfully deliver this important scheme which I am sure will enhance the lives of those who live in it. We intend to do a sterling job for them, starting today with the commencement of phase 1 of the Windmill Estate development at Fulbourn."

Jo Cowe, chairman of Windmill Estate Residents' Panel (WERP), said: "We've waited for this for a long time now and it is great to see work actually starting on site."

Stephen Hills, corporate manager for affordable homes at SCDC, said: "This is excellent news and comes on the back of more than three years of hard work by the local residents, Accent Nene and South Cambridgeshire District Council. This development will provide more homes for the village as well as improving the environment for everyone. We can now focus on the job of getting on with the new building."

Councillor Daphne Spink MBE, housing portfolio holder at SCDC, added: "This is about improving not only the physical layout of the estate but importantly the quality of life of its residents. I would like to thank all those who have worked so hard over the past three years to bring this idea to fruition. It is an important and exciting moment, especially for the Windmill residents, and SCDC will continue to participate in the project and looks forward to seeing its completion."