Clarendon House renovation in Cambridge recommended for approval despite neighbours’ objections
Plans to redevelop and extend Clarendon House, a 1980s office block in Cambridge, are recommended for approval by city councillors despite opposition from neighbours.
Wrenbridge’s proposals to partly demolish, alter and extend the building in Clarendon Road, Petersfield, will go before a planning committee on Wednesday (24 July).
If approved, the steel structure would be retained but the single storey front glazed extension would be demolished and the building extended to the north, east and upwards to create a building which varies from three to five storeys, with an undercroft. The offices could be home to 400 people, with plans for 238 cycle parking spaces and 20 car parking spaces
A council officer’s report notes four mature trees would have to be cut down, with new trees planted. It recommends that councillors approve the plans.
But neighbours from Clarendon Road, the Kaleidoscope flats and Fitzwilliam Road remain opposed, saying that expanding the floorspace from 29,237 sq ft to 71,300 sq ft represented “massive overdevelopment”.
Spokesperson Francesca Leadlay said: “The scale and massing are not suitable for a residential road. A three-storey building would be replaced with one three-storey, one four-storey and one five-storey block with a much wider frontage, extending significantly to the north, west and east.”
She said many windows would overlook homes, impacting privacy, while cladding and metal panels were out of keeping with the conservation area.
“Since 2021 the opening of two new nurseries and one new primary school nearby have led to increased traffic and parking issues in the area,” she added. “No traffic survey has been provided by the developer so these problems have not been taken into account.
“We're concerned about the height, scale and visual impact on the conservation area, as well as the cumulative impacts from the nearby major development from the same developer, which is still under construction.
“There would be negative impacts for people in Kaleidoscope and Clarendon Road, with overlooking, noise and other disruption from the roof terraces, delivery bay and car ramp.”
The council’s officer’s report says the development would boost the supply of much-needed office space in a highly sustainable location. It adds that removing the glazed entrance would be beneficial as that is seen as a negative feature in the conservation area.
It describes the design as “of high architectural and design quality, with the building being carefully articulated to sit comfortably within the street scene”.