Concern over height of new Beehive Centre science park
More details of the science and technology park that could replace the Beehive Centre in Cambridge have been revealed – and have prompted concern that the development will impact views across the city.
Investment company Railpen, which owns the plot of land, wants to demolish the shopping centre to build the new business park.
Blocks of up to six storeys could be constructed where the centre stands off Coldhams Lane, according to a report submitted to Cambridge City Council.
Those with external plant floors could be a further two storeys high, while blocks featuring flues would be up to 25 per cent higher.
Published as part of a ‘scoping opinion’ request to the city council, ahead of a planning application, the report by Bidwells states: “The building heights vary, with the taller elements located along the railway line, and drop towards the west and south boundary where the residential terraces are located.”
It acknowledges that the height and size of the buildings “would alter the views from strategic green spaces” including Coldham’s Common and Ditton Meadows, with the blocks higher than those around them “likely to have an impact on nearby and long-distance views”.
Buildings at the 7.58-acre site would also be visible to visitors to the Castle Mound, as well as to ramblers on Little Tree Hills.
Green Party city councillors are also concerned over a lack of green space in the new development.
Cllr Hannah Copley (Green, Abbey) said: “Although we now know the proposed building heights of the Beehive development, the developer has chosen to only illustrate the building widths but hide the heights on their visual illustrations.
“This area of Abbey and Petersfield is desperately short of green open space, and the amount of land the development proposes to devote to green open space is simply tiny – something I have raised to the developers at each of the meetings I have attended.
“The largest green space –sandwiched between two roads – is, for scale, approximately equivalent to the very small patch of grass on the nearby Silverwood Close, which is completely inadequate for the 5,000 new workers the redevelopment would bring, let alone nearby residents who already suffer from a lack of access to green space.”
Railpen has previously promised “attractive new buildings surrounded by beautiful landscaping and green spaces that local people can easily access”.
The request asks the planning authority to share what issues should be considered by its assessment and reported in an environmental statement ahead of the submission of a planning application.
Images released of the proposed development showed public gardens, community spaces, and cycle paths replacing the shopping centre.
Railpen has completed public consultation on the early plans, including two exhibitions and webinars. Construction on the site could start as early as 2025 and is very likely to carry on into the 2030s.
