All but two areas of Cambridgeshire have seen an increase in property prices

One area has been named Cambridgeshire’s property hotspot, with prices growing faster than anywhere else in our county. Average house prices in the Peterborough City Council area were £237,000 in the year to January 2026.

That’s an increase of 6.1 percent compared to the same time last year, the equivalent of an extra £14,000 per home. It’s the largest annual increase in our county and far higher than the UK average of 1.3 percent.

East Cambridgeshire, meanwhile, has seen average house prices increase by 5.0 percent to £346,000. That’s the equivalent of an extra £16,000 on every home. In Fenland, average prices are up by 4.8 percent (equivalent to £11,000 per home), and in Huntingdonshire by 3.3 percent (equivalent to £10,000 per home).

Two parts of our county have, however, seen prices fall over the last 12 months. Cambridge’s average house price was £477,000 in the year to January 2026. That’s a fall of 2.5 percent compared to a year earlier, equivalent to £12,000 being shaved off every house.

South Cambridgeshire has seen a less dramatic drop. The average house price there was £430,000 in January, down by 0.6 percent over the course of the year, equivalent to £3,000 per house.

Use our gadget below to see how house prices have changes across the country

Across the UK, house prices have continued to fall, down by £4,000 in just three months. It cost £268,000 to buy the average house in the UK in January, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

That’s down for the second month in a row, falling from an all-time peak of £272,000 in November 2025. It means prices have dropped by £4,000 in the space of just three months, and average house prices are now back to where they were in June last year.

Despite these recent falls, however, the cost of buying a home is still higher now than it was at the same time last year. January’s average prices are 1.3 percent higher than in January 2025, when the average was £265,000.

The health of the property market varies across the UK. Average house prices in the Newry Mourne and Down council area in Northern Ireland have seen the steepest increases over the last 12 months. The average house price in the area in January was £219,000. That’s a 12.4 percent increase compared to a year earlier, equivalent to an extra £24,000 per home.

Mid Ulster has the UK’s next largest increase for a local authority area. The typical home there cost £189,000 in January. That’s a 10.7 percent increase compared to the same time last year, equivalent to an extra £18,000 per home.

The third largest increase is also in Northern Ireland, with prices in Fermanagh and Omagh rising by 10.2 percent, equivalent to an extra £18,000 per home. Meanwhile, back in England, Forest of Dean has seen the largest increase. The typical home there cost £301,000 in January, 9.6 percent more than a year earlier and equivalent to an extra £26,000 per home.

Darlington has England’s and the UK’s next largest increase at 9.5 percent. That’s followed by Wirral at 8.8 percent and West Dunbartonshire at 8.6 percent, which is the largest annual increase in Scotland.

It’s hoped public toilets would make the city centre more appealing and accessible for people

Public toilets are set to make a return to the city centre – but they may not be on Cathedral Square. The long-standing issue of access to public conveniences was raised at Peterborough City Council’s monthly Cabinet meeting on March 24 by Councillor Mohammed Jamil.

Emma Henson had her leg amputated at the age of one because of a rare condition that made her right leg swell to twice the size of her left leg

A Peterborough woman with one foot is searching for a fellow amputee to share shoes with – so two bin bags full of unwanted right shoes don’t go to waste. Emma Henson, 20, has a rare condition called Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS).

When she was born, her right leg had swelled to double the size of her left one. When Emma turned one, her parents made the decision to have the leg amputated, as she would never be able to walk on it.

Her leg causes her too much pain to wear a prosthetic, so Emma only ever needs to wear one shoe as she uses crutches or a wheelchair to get around. She said that throughout her life, she has struggled to find companies that will sell her a single shoe, leaving her feeling as though she is not accepted.

She is now searching for a left foot amputee, who is a size six shoe, with whom she can share pairs of shoes. Emma, who originally shared her story with Talk To The Press, said: “My leg is constantly swelling and getting infected, so wearing a prosthetic is so painful and makes me bleed.

“I’ve got a whole bin bag, if not two at home, full of right foot shoes. I would love to find a left leg amputee who is also a UK size six so that we could share shoes.

“I’ve tried to give my odd shoes to charities, to help other amputees, but nowhere will accept them. It makes me feel not accepted in the world. I was born like this, I didn’t choose it.”

KTS is a rare congenital condition with symptoms including port-wine stain birthmarks, varicose veins, and limb overgrowth. When she was one, doctors told her parents that they could either choose to have the leg amputated from the knee down, or that she would be in a wheelchair forever.

She said she has emailed countless shoe companies but is always told that she will have to just buy a pair of shoes. She added that she doesn’t think it’s fair that she has to fork out for two shoes, when one will just end up in the back of her wardrobe.

Emma said: “A pair of shoes sometimes costs £150, and I can’t afford that if one of them is just going to sit in the wardrobe. I think companies should give you the option of just buying one shoe, and paying half price for it.

“It would make companies look good, and make everyone feel included. There’s probably a lot of people out there who are having the same issue as me, and it’s so unfair that one shoe just goes to waste.”

She feels that there must be many people like her in the same predicament, so is searching for someone, not only to share shoes with, but also to relate to.

Emma said: “One of my goals is to find someone out there who is like me to talk to about our similarities and help make each other feel better about ourselves.”

NHS dentists will be incentivised to treat urgent cases

Patients across Peterborough will be able to get urgent dentist appointments more easily due to an upcoming nationwide overhaul of NHS dentistry.

That was the view shared by Pam Green, Director of Neighbourhood Health, Places and Partnerships at a meeting of the Prevention, Independence and Resilience Scrutiny Committee at Sand Martin House on Monday night (March 23).

The meeting saw NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board (ICB) update the committee on dentistry, outlining actions taken to improve access to NHS dentist appointments.

Ms Green explained that a major overhaul to the contracts the government agrees with NHS dentistry providers means that, from April, urgent care will be prioritised over regular care:

“The fundamental change to the contract is the pricing,” she said. “The national pricing has changed, and the incentives, too.”

She went on: “It’s a more logical way to incentivise on-the-day access and not constantly seeing six-month reviews – the previous contract encouraged reviews as opposed to that urgent access.”

Going forward, NHS dentists will be financially incentivised to carry out fewer check-ups and instead use that time to treat urgent cases like severe tooth pain, dental infections, trauma to teeth, or other conditions that need rapid treatment.

“The model… was so linked to six-month reviews that actually it stopped people being able to get [NHS dental] access,” Ms Green summarised. This new approach, she said, would help “free up capacity”.

Councillor Asim Mahmood (Lab) and Councillor Heather Skibsted (Greens) both asked Ms Green why routine general access to NHS dentists – akin to going to see your local GP – was not available in the way that it used to be three or four decades ago.

“Dentistry absolutely is there for everyone but it’s never been the same offer as General Practice (GP),” she replied. “It’s a perception that everyone is registered with an NHS dentist and that just isn’t the case. What our urgent dental access is saying is that, irrespective of whether you’re registered, you should be able to access care.”

Following question a from Cllr Skibstead enquiring about the ICB’s “vision” for dentistry in the city, Ms Green acknowledged that it will take time for the new ways of working to become established.

“We will see a change in the way access is derived,” she said, “[but] we’ve got to work that through. We want people to be able to access [NHS] dentistry on the frequency that is appropriate… [and] offer, where there is need, the right level of service.

“That is the vision. I promise you that the dental contract changes will help us get there.”

The suspect had left the area when police arrived

A woman has to be taken to hospital following an assault Peterborough city centre. Police were called at 11.53am on Sunday, March 22 to reports of violence near Town Bridge in Peterborough.

A woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries and a crime has been raised for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The suspect had left the area when police arrived. There have been no arrests at this time.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “We were called at 11.53am on Sunday (22 March) to reports of violence near Town Bridge. Officers attended and a woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries; the suspect had left the area.

“A crime has been raised for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and an investigation is underway, no arrests at this time.”

It’s hoped that the location will make pick up and drop off easier for parents

The opening of a new school-based nursery is set to offer families in and around Orton more opportunities to take advantage of accessible and affordable childcare. The new nursery will be based within St John’s Church School at Riseholme. The expectation is that it will open when the new school year starts in September 2026.

Funding for this new nursery has been provided by Best Start in Life, an initiative by central government which aims to support working families and improve access to early education. Across the country, more than 300 schools have been successful in securing a share of £45 million funding to build or expand nurseries on their sites.

Sam Carling, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, welcomed the news. He said: “Access to affordable childcare is one of the biggest challenges many families raise with me locally.

“That’s why it’s really positive to see the Government investing in Orton to expand nursery provision and create more places close to home.”

School-based nurseries are designed to make daily routines easier for families by reducing the need for multiple drop-offs and pick-ups. The hope is that this approach will help parents who may otherwise be struggling to return to – or remain in – work.

Mr Carling agreed that creating additional nursery places close to home should be a more effective way of helping parents manage their busy working lives while also ensuring children enjoy access to high-quality early education from a young age.

“School-based nurseries can make a genuine difference,” he said, “helping parents balance work and family life, simplifying the school run, and ensuring children get a strong start in their early years.”

It is believed more than a million parents are now taking advantage of government-funded childcare support. Alongside new nursery places, eligible families can also benefit from up to 30 hours of funded childcare.

Mr Carling said that, as well as funded childcare hours, central government was aiding families by offering additional support, such as free breakfast clubs and action to reduce the cost of school uniforms.

“Together, these steps are about easing the pressure on household budgets and making sure children growing up here have every opportunity to thrive,” he said.

Call police if you see man wanted on recall to prison with links to Cambs

A man wanted on recall to prison has links to a Cambridgeshire city. Hertfordshire Police is appealing for information to find Michael Pomroy, 41.

Pomroy, who is also known as Michael Reynolds, has links to Stevenage, Peterborough and Luton. A police spokesperson said: “We are appealing to the public for their help in locating a wanted man.

“Michael Pomroy, aged 41 and also known as Michael Reynolds, is wanted on recall to prison. He has links to Stevenage, Peterborough and Luton.” Anyone with information should call police on 101 or report it online.

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When it opens, it’ll offer coaching programmes, including school outreach and inclusive sessions

A much anticipated new padel centre in Peterborough has applied for a licence that will enable it to sell alcohol and offer live entertainment. Smash Haus Padel Ltd is looking to make further use of the Lincoln Road warehouse unit it secured as a sports venue at the end of last year.

In its application to Peterborough City Council on March 10, the company applied for a Premises Licence that would allow it to offer three activities:

Health professionals had stated the child required “required increased and close supervision” but they were left on their own

A children’s home where a vulnerable child attempted to harm themselves has been rated inadequate. “Serious and widespread failures” were highlighted after an OFSTED inspection at Clare Lodge Secure Children’s Home in Peterborough.

OFSTED inspected the children’s home over February 10 and 11 and a report was published on Tuesday, March 18. The report said children often “do not feel valued or respected” by staff.

In one instance, a vulnerable child with a history of self-harm was left alone in a lounge area for an extended period of time, almost entirely out of view of CCTV. The child became unresponsive after tying a ligature around their neck, according to the OFSTED report.

After staff checked on the child, emergency services were called to the home and the child was taken to hospital. The centre manager was aware of the incident as he had walked past the room on two occasions but did not take any action. The child had a safety plan in place and health professionals had said she “required increased and close supervision”.

Not all the children have clear strategies to help them in their risk assessment reports to help guide staff in “effectively supporting and safeguarding” them, according to the report.

The report added: “Placing social workers said that they are not always informed about incidents or concerns about the children promptly. They say that incident reports that are sent to them are not always sufficiently detailed and leave them having to contact the home for further information and clarifications. Some family members also shared concerns about the lack of communication from staff.”

The home has had three different centre managers since February 2025. The report stated that the centre managers have failed to “develop a good-quality service” for its children and have “not established effective and collaborative working relationships” with the heads of departments.

Councillor Katy Cole, PCC Cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “We acknowledge receipt of the report and accept responsibility for the concerns raised regarding Clare Lodge. We are taking Ofsted’s feedback extremely seriously, and steps are already being taken to make the necessary improvements to the facility.

“As Cabinet Member, I want to emphasise that we are all corporate parents and I take that responsibility seriously. We remain dedicated to further developing Clare Lodge and delivering a high standard of care for the vulnerable young girls who reside there, ensuring they are supported, protected, and given a voice.

“I am committed to ensuring that every child in this city is treated with the respect and care that I would want for my own children.”

My home city has so much heritage that should have shone through for the city of culture bid

When I found out that my home city had missed out on the chance to be named city of culture, I felt disappointed. I live in Peterborough, and I think it has so much more going for it than people realise.

Peterborough announced last month it would bid for the city of culture in 2029. I thought it was a great idea, and I was looking forward to the city being highlighted for all the good things it had to offer, as it is usually overlooked for having a bad reputation.

Once the expression of interest was made, the campaign began to highlight what this amazing city has to offer. Unfortunately, on Tuesday ( March 17), it was confirmed Peterborough didn’t make the final list – being beaten by nine other cities including Milton Keynes and Ipswich.

I’m not sure what these other cities had on offer that beat Peterborough, but it made me think about how much my home city does have.

Any place attempting to bid for the city of culture has to meet specific criteria. The first thing the judges are looking at is heritage, which Peterborough has bursting at the seams.

It’s a city full of history, which dates back as far as the Romans and Iron Age. Flag Fen is a great spot to visit to learn about Peterborough’s important role in the Iron Age. Anybody who went to school in Peterborough will tell you that it’s almost guaranteed that you visited Flag Fen on a school trip.

There are many places across the city that were significant areas for the Romans, including in Bretton, where Roman houses once stood. There’s also Durobrivae in the Nene Valley region which was an important walled Roman town.

The most historic sight is of course Peterborough Cathedral, a central part of the city. I sound like a broken record, but I’m proud Peterborough has this magnificent cathedral. It’s a 900-year old building that has stood the test of time, with notable figures such as Katharine of Aragon being buried there. It’s definitely a piece of architecture the city celebrates.

Another part of the criteria is based on leadership, which should “demonstrate a strong, collaborative leadership approach with clear commitment” and involvement from local authorities and community organisations.

While everyone may not know about them, there are many great organisations that bring out the best of the city. One group is Up the Garden Bath, run by Dave Poulton and Kez Hayes-Palmer.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Dave and Kez and learn about the work they are doing to support independent makers in Peterborough. The community interest company started from upcycling baths into planters, and they later opened a shop to showcase goods made by local people.

Another group that comes to mind is the Industrial Hub, a group that provides training opportunities and work experience for people with learning disabilities and autism. I also had the pleasure of meeting those who run the group, as well as those using it. The group showcases the kindness of people in the city, and helps people with learning disabilities to reach the best of their abilities.

One thing I love about the city is its investment in arts and sport. Vivacity, overseen by Peterborough City Council, runs sports and arts facilities across Peterborough. It celebrates and promotes arts with the Key Theatre and New Theatre. I’ve always been a supporter of the arts, and this is a part of the city that should be celebrated.

Personally, Vivacity has also been a big part of my life while growing up and also now, as I learnt to swim through Vivacity and also continue to keep fit at one of its gyms. Vivacity is an integral part of the city for both arts and sport.

The final part the bid looks at is transformation, and looks at what transformation would mean for the city and how it will be delivered.

One great thing about Peterborough is its convenient location which makes it a perfect commuter city for people working in places like Cambridge and London. While I think the railway station is too small for a commuter destination, it is getting a much-needed £50 million upgrade in the next few years.

The station quarter development will see the railway station grow, with an improved pick up area, creating a new gateway to the city. It’s an investment that will bring more people into the city and give people living here already, a chance to venture out in the world and go for those higher paid jobs.

Sometimes I feel that people forget that Peterborough is part of Cambridgeshire, and I am gutted that my city won’t get the opportunity to showcase all it has to offer. Yes, you could say Cambridge has a richer history with the university and notable figures, but Peterborough is an equally important city and shouldn’t be pushed aside or forgotten.

While Peterborough may not get the best reputation, the title would have finally give it the spotlight it deserves.