Abstract’s Cambridge International Technology Park turned down due to impact on traffic and landscape
Plans for the Cambridge International Technology Park were turned down because councillors believe it would have had “unacceptable” impacts on traffic and landscape.
The park, off Fulbourn Road, was proposed for land next to Peterhouse Technology Park, which is home to Arm’s global headquarters.
The hybrid planning application had been submitted by Abstract (Cambridge) Limited to cover 56,473 sq m, creating new offices for research and development as well as landscaped open space and a multi-decked car park.
In the design and access statement, submitted as part of the application, it said: “CITP intends to house advancing technological companies from around the world, contributing to the wealth of innovation and invention within the Cambridgeshire area.
“Potential tenants include producers of microprocessors and semi conductors, AI developers and engineers, and companies pushing the research and development of hardware.
“The innovation by these sets of people is a significant benefit to our society, that continues to influence swathes people around the world.”
It added that the scheme aimed to be a “highly sustainable technology park”, creating an “urban landscape that blends into the surrounding agricultural green belt”.
Despite being recommended for approval by council officers, the application was refused by councillors on Cambridge City Council’s joint development committee last month.
In the decision document that has been published, it details the two reasons that have been given for the refusal, stating the plans “do not represent a sustainable development”.
It said: “The proposed development will result in unacceptable traffic impacts which will exacerbate existing congestion in the local and wider areas.
“The proposals include inadequate mitigation measures in the submitted travel plan to reduce travel to the site by car, resulting in a development that is overly reliant on travel by car.
“The proposed development, due to its scale and massing, would result in unacceptable impacts on the surrounding Green Belt and landscape.”
The applicant can appeal the refusal, if “aggrieved” by the decision.
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