Bellway Eastern Counties has recently started construction on a development of 300 sustainable new homes as part of the Orchards Green neighbourhood on the outskirts of Ely after East Cambridgeshire District Council granted detailed planning permission in September 2025.

The development will feature a range of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to five-bedroom houses under the Bellway and Ashberry Homes brands, on land to the north of the Isle of Ely Primary School, with the development to be known as Cathedral Rise.

Jonathan Wells, Land Director at Bellway Eastern Counties, said: “Now that we have approval from the local authority we can forge ahead with our plans to bring a collection of much-needed new housing to Ely.

“We carried out extensive consultation prior to submitting this planning application, including working closely with the local councils, meeting with members of the East Cambridgeshire Access Group and inviting local residents to comment on our proposals.”

The scheme will comprise 180 properties for private sale and 120 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership, including 14 affordable bungalows. It will also feature green open space, play areas and allotments, with all homes heated by all-electric heat pumps.

The Bellway development forms the fifth phase of the wider Orchards Green project, which is taking shape at the northern edge of the city.