Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency has announced £120,000 of grant funding to help organisations promote community cohesion and enhance the vibrancy of life in Northstowe, a new town under development north of Cambridge.

Northstowe is set to be transformed into a thriving new community of around 25,000 people over the next twenty years – a diverse community is already shaping its unique identity.

The project had numerous goals, and primarily wanted to increase community engagement by providing seating areas that would encourage residents to socialise. They wanted to keep the area clean by having easy litter disposal so the environment would be clean and welcoming.

Improving the playscape was another key objective with a focus on fun and visually pleasing sculptures that would match the modern housing association architecture. This was achieved with Hand Made Places, a Broxap vision. See the case study here.

Broxap offered an ideal solution with their selection of benches and litter bins, providing several of their Whitwell Benches, known for their ergonomic design and manufactured from FSC-certified timber.

Broxap also provided a number of their Brocastle Picnic Benches providing ample seating for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings with the housing development.

The area will be kept clean and litter free with the addition of their Winchester Canopied Litter Bins and Athena Double Litter & Recycling Bins.

Matthew Brown, head of large sites at Homes England, said “Supporting people to form connections and build a sense of belonging is critical when it comes to creating new places – particularly when it comes to significant new developments like Northstowe.”