Demolition work progressing quickly around The Flying Pig pub as part of Botanic Place development

An aerial view shows how demolition work is progressing around The Flying Pig pub in Cambridge as part of the planned £500million Botanic Place development.

The site in Hills Road is being redeveloped to build a five-storey and a seven-storey office block, with the pub retained.

A spokesperson for the developer said: “Demolition work is currently progressing at the site of the new Botanic Place development on Hills Road.

“Once complete, the construction of the new commercial buildings will commence with completion targeted for 2027.

“Materials have been saved during the demolition, including paving slabs and bike stands, and will be recycled for use across Cambridgeshire in collaboration with the council.

“Protective hoardings are in place to protect The Flying Pig building throughout this work. The pub building will be refurbished and restored and brought back into use as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The scheme was approved on appeal following debate over its impact and concerns for the future viability of the historic pub on the site. The pub, which closed its doors in October 2021, will be retained under the scheme, with some alterations.

A planning application to demolish the pub was originally approved by Cambridge City Council back in 2007, as part of a development to build 156 new homes, as well as offices and shops.

In 2020 Pace Ltd submitted new plans to the city council, proposing to keep the pub, but looking to build a five-storey office building and a seven-storey office building around it.

These plans were refused by the city council in 2021 after councillors raised concerns about the size of the new buildings next to Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

However, this decision was overturned after an appeal was made to the Planning Inspectorate.

The site was then sold to Railpen – the investment manager for the railways pensions schemes – which worked on the new proposals with development manager Socius.

Earlier this year, the developer named Skanska UK as its main contractor for the Botanic Place development and will create what is being billed as the most sustainable speculative office scheme outside of London.

The 540,000 sq ft premises will prioritise energy efficiency and ensure the offices stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, while using 70 per cent less energy than traditional office buildings, powered by renewable energy sources.