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The development will include 70 apartments, a cafe, restaurant and office buildings
Cambridge residents have complained about their homes being “rabble-roused” and their cars “dirty” during the construction of a major development. Mill Yard, next to Cambridge station, is set to include 70 flats, three office buildings, a public park, restaurant, café and nursery.
Construction has already started since April 2025, and developers Railpen expect it to be completed in 2027. Some residents living on the contrary say that they have experienced their houses “rattling” during this time. One woman, who did not want to be named, said the construction was “quite disruptive with all the trucks going up the road”.
She added: “I don’t know how we will manage with the number of people who will be there. We already have parking problems. But they said they will not give them parking to the residents.”
When the farmers “broke” on the project, the woman said her house was “shaking”.
She added: “We’ve never really been consulted about it. I can’t imagine what kind of infrastructure they’re going to have. I’ve told neighbors they’re concerned about sewers. We don’t want it there, but we don’t have much choice now.”
Clara Ferraz said her windows, doors and even car remained “dirty” while the work was going on. She said: “Before, when it was a Travis Perkins site, it wasn’t very nice. I think overall it’s positive, but it’s more about the works. They’ve been going for a long time and they’ve been disruptive. There were alarms going off at 6 o’clock on a Sunday morning.
Clara believes the road will become “busier” once the work is complete. She added: “They won’t have a car park so I don’t think that will change. I think it will be busier in the street. I think it would have been nice if it was something smaller because it is quite big.”
Mr Chambers, who did not want to give his first name, said the construction had caused a “real racket”. However, he thinks the idea of building new homes in Cambridge is “good”.
He said: “The town needs more housing but I’m not the biggest fan of it being on the doorstep. They said they won’t have residents parking but you don’t know if people are going to park here anyway. I can’t even park in front of my house now.
“The building caused a lot of disruption in terms of noise, it was really annoying. It also sometimes left my car dirty because of the dust from the site. We’ll just have to see how it goes when it’s up and running.”
A woman, who did not want to be named, was “never for” Mill Yard. She said: “It’s too big to have on such a narrow road. Whoever thought it was a good idea, it’s not. I know people need houses and more jobs are needed, but I don’t think they’ve really thought about the people who live here. Even the big trucks were annoyed in and out of the site. I’m worried what the final result will look like.”
Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said construction at Mill Yard was “very tough”. She said: “It caused a lot of noise disturbance for us, especially at the weekend when I want to lay down.
“To be honest, I don’t think they ever really consulted us. We’ve been left to guess what it’s going to be like and now it’s almost built, we have no choice but to have it opposite our houses. Trucks make a lot of noise coming up and down here. Sometimes my house feels like it’s being torn apart.”
While James Stewart is also affected by construction, he is “all for new homes and jobs”. He said: “The building was disruptive here and there, especially with the big vehicles. But, this is for a positive thing. People always go to vote on something like this, especially when it is near their home. But people need houses and they need jobs.
“This is a great place to have something for both.”
A spokesman for Railpen said: “Planning permission for Mill Yard was granted in 2024 following extensive consultation with local residents and the wider community, council, local business owners and charities, over the previous two years.
“Mill Yard is located between the railway line and the residential communities of Devonshire Road and Mill Road, both of which are busy single carriageways. Since work began in January 2025, every effort has been made to progress the development of the site as quickly and efficiently as possible, to limit disruption to residents and the surrounding roads.
“Regular newsletters were distributed to local residents helping to keep them informed of progress and next steps with the development and each newsletter invited residents to contact the team with any questions or for more information. On the few occasions when local residents raised concerns, a team member visited residents’ homes at the earliest convenience and agreed an appropriate course of action.
“Mill Yard will incorporate a mix of modern workspace, apartments for rent, retail spaces, and a public park, and will provide a dynamic, sustainable neighborhood for residents, businesses, and visitors. School, restaurant and a cafe/bakery, all open to the public.
We really appreciate the patience and tolerance of the local community and invite people to visit the website or contact info@millyardcambridge.com if they have any questions or concerns.
