Mill Yard, Cambridge

About the project

Mill Yard is the new a mixed use development that will regenerate a key part of Cambridge into a sustainable new neighbourhood.

The project, formerly known as Devonshire Gardens, which has a value of £180m, has been developed by Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension scheme in the UK and Socius, its development partner. The site was rebranded in 2024 to Mill Yard, reflecting its position on the vibrant Mill Road, close to the heart of the city. You can find out more about our appointment to the project in this press release.

Mill Yard will embed sustainability into its design, with the creation of a new, publicly accessible green space at the heart of the development, to improve health and wellbeing, and minimise carbon emissions and waste. The new site will also embrace sustainability through:

• Edible planting, diverse trees and shrubbery to provide animal habitats and solar shading, providing up to 280% Biodiversity Net Gain
• Bat, bee and bird boxes which will be installed in the gardens alongside green roofs, hedgehog habitats, and evergreen planters
• Utilising 100% renewable energy to power the development
• Promoting active travel with over 530 cycle spaces and being a largely car-free development
• Utilising rainwater harvesting to reduce the demand on the local water supply
• 99% of the waste generated will be diverted from landfill

The vacant Railway Cottages, 126-134 Mill Road, were acquired by Railpen and it intends to restore the properties back to residential use. As the properties are currently vacant, the doors and windows have been boarded up to protect and secure the property.

Railpen understands the historic importance of the building and is aware it is valued by the community and listed as one of local interest by the local planning authority. It is the ambition of Railpen that the building will be sensitively restored and renovated to protect the heritage and character of the building, while ensuring that the homes meet modern performance standards.

The restoration of the building will be incorporated into the development of the Mill Yard site and included in the commitments to sustainability in place for the entire neighbourhood development.

Working in the Cambridge community

Making a positive difference in the communities we work is a vital part of our responsible business plan. The partnership has resulted in a commitment to generating more than £60m in social value for the local area, a figure verified by social impact company Social Value Portal. We plan to achieve this through a variety of initiatives ranging from local employment opportunities, providing work experience, apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities, as well as donating 500 hours in volunteering time. Over £30m has also been earmarked for spending in the local supply chain, boosting the area’s economy and supporting nearby businesses.

The Cambridge team is part of the wider East business, which operates out of four regional offices - the Cambridge Office being associated with this project.

Alex Pett, Senior Site Manager and Community Liaison Champion, is the dedicated community contact for Mill Yard and will maintain communications with neighbours and the surrounding community.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Chris (Project Director) via the contact form at the bottom of the page with any queries regarding the project.

As a business we are proud members of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which has a Code of Considerate Practice designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

This page will provide a snapshot of activities we have been undertaking in the local community.