New science area south of Coldhams Lane in Cambridge could create thousands of jobs
Thousands of jobs could be created under plans for a new science area on land south of Coldhams Lane in Cambridge.
Developer Mission Street hopes to “blur the lines between research occupiers and local communities”.
Its plans include state-of-the-art life sciences facilities, alongside new publicly accessible green space, community events space and a new play area.
The site west of Kathleen Elliot Way, which is known as Parcel A, is allocated for commercial uses in the adopted Cambridge Local Plan.
The developer estimates the proposals could create 3,835 to 4,530 additional full-time jobs, as well as 825 jobs during the construction phase. It notes that around 50 per cent of all jobs in life science do not require a degree.
The developer is also proposing to phase the development, with the community event space, the first research and development building, and a central square featuring an outdoor event space and play area among those planned for the first phase. The developer is targeting the completion of this stage in 2026.
Two further R&D buildings and associated landscaping would come in phase two, which the developer would aim to complete by 2027. A third phase is planned for completion in 2030.
A travel hub is also proposed for the site, which would include cycle facilities such as secure cycle parking, showers, lockers, a café, cycle repair and other amenities.
A dedicated shuttle service to key hubs such as rail stations and Park & Ride sites is also suggested, along with reduced car parking provision to promote active travel.
A public exhibition of the plans was held at St Andrew’s Church in Coldhams Lane on Saturday (June 24).
Stewart Kain, development director of Mission Street, said: “This development will be of the highest quality as well as being integrated with surrounding communities – part of the fabric of Cambridge rather than a segregated science park. An opportunity exists to create a truly exceptional environment including workplaces, community facilities and public access to c.50 acres of landscaped green space including the lakes.
“Historically on the edge of, but closed to Cherry Hinton village, the proposed development will seek to open up the site and blur the lines between research occupiers and local communities, encouraging movement into and through the site. It will stimulate local investment, create a wide range of employment opportunities, and inspire a generation of children and young people to engage with STEM subjects in an exciting and meaningful way.”
Mission Street is a specialist investor, operator and developer focused on the delivery of creative solutions for the evolving science and innovation sector.
The developer says Parcel B of the site is to remain restricted from public access and managed as a local wildlife site. The proximity to Cambridge Airport to the north precludes it from a number of habitat types.
The site will be managed to provide a rich habitat patchwork targeted at invertebrates and consisting of ruderal plant species and colonies, bee hotels and extant scrub and grassland.
It adds that the scheme will “respect the position of the lakes” in Parcel C, along with supporting the existing habitat mosaic.
The developer has also pledged to create a masterplan which “enables the flexibility for the long term management of The Lakes”.
A planning application was submitted for the site in 2021 by The Anderson Group for logistics and light industrial development on Parcel A, ecological enhancements on Parcel B, and limited landscape works to create access to Parcel C.
That application was withdrawn earlier this year following Mission Street’s acquisition of Parcel A.
