North East Cambridge (NEC) is a large area of previously developed land on the north-eastern edge of Cambridge, spanning the boundary between Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. It lies on either side of Milton Road and includes Cambridge North Station.
The area includes several key sites that play an important role in the local economy and transport network:
- Cambridge North Station
- Brookgate (Chesterton Sidings)
- St John’s Innovation Park
- Cambridge Science Park
- Cambridge Business Park
- Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant
To guide change in the area, the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service prepared a draft Area Action Plan (AAP), setting out a long-term vision for redevelopment over the next 20 years. A key element of that vision was the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) off the site, enabling the creation of a major new housing-led neighbourhood.
Although permission was granted for the relocation through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) withdrew Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) support for the project in 2025 due to rising costs. As a result, the relocation is not proceeding and the scale and focus of redevelopment in North East Cambridge has changed. While the AAP was subsequently overtaken by the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan, the evidence and work undertaken during its preparation helped to inform thinking about the area's future.
The recently published Proposed Submission Greater Cambridge Local Plan proposes a revised policy for North East Cambridge, establishing clear objectives for the area's future development. Reflecting these changed circumstances, the policy supports the creation of a mixed-use “Innovation District”, prioritising a range of different employment uses alongside opportunities for new homes, community facilities, green infrastructure, and improved walking, cycling and public transport connections.
The Regulation 19 consultation on the Greater Cambridge Local Plan runs for eight weeks, from 3 August to 25 September 2026. This is the opportunity for residents, businesses and other interested parties to comment on the soundness and legality of the Plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of State at the end of this year for independent examination by a Planning Inspector.
North East Cambridge will continue to see significant redevelopment over the coming years. Several planning permissions are already in place, including at Chesterton Sidings, St John’s Innovation Park and Cambridge Science Park. A planning application for the phased redevelopment of Cambridge Science Park has recently been submitted, and an application for Cambridge Business Park is expected shortly. Other proposals from individual landowners are also coming forward across the area. Together, these proposals reflect continued investment in science, research and innovation that will help maintain Greater Cambridge's position as a leading centre for knowledge-intensive industries.
As proposals come forward at different times and from different landowners, the North East Cambridge Community Forum provides a space for residents, businesses and community groups to receive updates, share local perspectives and discuss issues affecting the area. The Forum is held jointly by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, with meetings alternating between the two councils, reflecting their shared responsibility for planning and community engagement in North East Cambridge.
View the map of Northeast Cambridge [PDF, 2MB]. The site map shows the locations of development proposals across North East Cambridge, colour coded according to their stage in the planning process.
Move to written updates
Following changes to the development site at North East Cambridge, the decision has been made to move from holding 3 scheduled Community Forum events across the course of the year, to providing written updates for our residents.
As many of you may be aware, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed on 15 August 2025 that the Housing Infrastructure Fund support would not be made available to Anglian Water to assist with funding the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Planet from Cowley Road. Consequently, the proposed Hartree development site is unable to proceed in its current form. More information on this can be found on the Anglian water website.
In light of this, and the recently published Regulation 19 Greater Cambridge Local Plan, the Lead Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities has decided that updates relating to North East Cambridge will continue to be shared through the dedicated project webpage, rather than conducted as a programme of hybrid meetings.
Updates will continue to be published on this webpage in line with the published Community Forum schedule. These updates will be issued at around the same time that Forum meetings would previously have taken place and will cover the same key topics and developments, without the need for a formal meeting.
Community members will still be able to raise questions with Council officers and development partners, and we encourage any enquiries to be submitted at the earliest opportunity via North@scambs.gov.uk. Responses to frequently raised issues will be reflected in future updates where appropriate.
Previous meetings
Recordings will be uploaded within 2 weeks following each event. Presentations are available on request by emailing north@scambs.gov.uk.
Land to the north of Cambridge North Station (reference 22/02771/OUT)
This hybrid planning application for 425 residential dwellings and five commercial buildings was allowed by the Secretary of State in April 2024 following a public inquiry held in summer 2023. GCSP Strategic Sites anticipate commencing the first commercial office building and associated residential phase between Q4 2026 and Q1 2027, subject to the determination of non-material amendments to the approved appeal scheme.
Multi-Storey Commercial Car Park (MSCCP) (reference 26/00884/OUT)
An outline planning application for the construction of a multi-storey commercial car park, including pedestrian and vehicular access and a standalone amenity kiosk on land to the north of Cowley Road adjacent to the Wild Park, was considered by the Joint Development Management Committee in June 2026. The decision notice was issued on 2 July 2026.
Merlin Place / Taylor Vinters Building, 460 Milton Road (reference 23/00835/FUL)
A planning application for the replacement of the existing building was approved by the Councils' Joint Development Control Committee on 24 January 2024, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The decision notice was issued in July 2024. Redevelopment of the site is substantially complete.
St John's Innovation Park (reference 20/03523/FUL)
Planning permission for the demolition of the existing building and its replacement with two commercial and research buildings, together with a transport hub, was approved by the Joint Development Control Committee in October 2021, subject to planning conditions and the completion of a Section 106 Agreement relating to transport mitigation. The decision notice was issued in July 2022. Pre-commencement planning conditions have been discharged and Building 1 is currently under construction.
Vitrum Building, Cambridge Innovation Park (references 23/01487/FUL and 23/01509/FUL)
Planning permission for the demolition of the existing building and its replacement was approved by the Joint Development Control Committee in November 2023, subject to planning conditions and the completion of a Section 106 Agreement relating to transport mitigation. The decision notice was issued in February 2024. Applications to discharge planning conditions have been submitted and redevelopment of the site is well underway.
Cambridge Science Park Masterplan (reference 26/01902/OUT)
An outline planning application for the phased redevelopment of Cambridge Science Park was submitted in July 2026. The proposal seeks to increase employment floorspace for research and development, office, industrial and storage uses, together with improvements to landscaping, public realm and supporting infrastructure. The application is currently under consideration.
Cambridge Science Park – Plot 163 (reference 26/02610/FUL)
A planning application for the redevelopment of Plot 163 was submitted in July 2026 to provide new employment floorspace together with associated car parking and landscaping. The application is currently under consideration.
Cambridge Science Park – Plots 210–240 (reference 24/04575/FUL)
A planning application for the redevelopment of Plots 210–240 to provide flexible laboratory and office buildings together with supporting infrastructure was approved by the Joint Development Management Committee in September 2025, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.
Cambridge Science Park – Plot 440 (reference 24/01079/FUL)
A planning application for the redevelopment of Plot 440 to provide a research and development office building was approved by the Joint Development Control Committee on 21 August 2024, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The decision notice was issued on 7 April 2025.
Cambridge Science Park – 191 Cambridge Science Park (NAPP) (reference 25/00113/FUL)
A planning application for a two-storey extension to the Bard Building, including a new Packaging Hall, first-floor building services plant and an enclosed link to the existing warehouse, was submitted in January 2025. The application was approved by the Joint Development Management Committee on 18 June 2025 and the decision notice was issued on 3 July 2025. Pre-commencement planning conditions have been discharged.
Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Relocation
Anglian Water's Development Consent Order for the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant was granted by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 April 2025. In August 2025, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government withdrew Housing Infrastructure Fund support for the relocation of the Waste Water Treatment Plant from its current site on Cowley Road. Following the withdrawal of this funding, Cambridge City Council and Anglian Water are not currently progressing proposals for the Hartree development.
Cambridge City Council Operational Hub (reference 23/01878/FUL)
Cambridge City Council's Operational Hub, providing accommodation for council services, including front-line operational teams, opened in October 2025.
Trinity Hall Farm (reference 25/00016/FUL)
A planning application for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of offices, research and development buildings, together with associated retail, café and public garden, was submitted in January 2025. The application was approved by the Joint Development Management Committee on 19 November 2025, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.
Cambridge Business Park Masterplan (reference 26/02567/OUT)
An outline planning application for the phased redevelopment of Cambridge Business Park was submitted in July 2026. The proposal includes employment floorspace for office and research and development uses, supporting retail, leisure and community uses, residential development including co-living accommodation, a new Cambridgeshire Guided Bus stop, associated crossings, public open space and supporting infrastructure. The application is currently under consideration.
Cambridge Business Park Pilot Project (reference 25/02022/FUL)
A planning application for the refurbishment and extension of an existing building for continued Class E use, including office and laboratory space with ancillary café, event and community space, together with landscaping, car and cycle parking, plant and storage, was approved by the Joint Development Management Committee, subject to planning conditions. The decision notice was issued in November 2025.
Cambridge Business Park
The Crown Estate is submitting an outline planning application to transform Cambridge Business Park into a more open, inclusive and sustainable place where people, ideas and businesses can come together.
The application follows two years of engagement with residents, community groups, neighbouring landowners and planning officers, including three rounds of public consultation. The proposals aim to create a new centre for a globally significant innovation district, delivering up to 500 new homes, up to 1.8 million sq. ft of office and research and development space, new shops, restaurants, cafés and leisure uses, public spaces, natural habitats and community facilities, with the potential to support over 8,000 jobs.
The key themes raised through consultation have included improving connectivity, creating accessible public spaces, supporting sustainable travel, delivering a balanced mix of homes, opening up opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths, and ensuring the Park delivers long-term benefits for local communities.
Materials will also be available on the project website from Thursday 9 July. If you would like to receive updates as the project progresses, you can sign up to the mailing list on the project website.
Anglian Water
1) On 23 October 2025, the Minister for Housing and Planning reported in Parliament that:
"The government has instructed Anglian Water to accelerate planning for wastewater infrastructure upgrades required to accommodate development and growth both now and for the Cambridge Growth Company’s long-term ambitions for expansion in Greater Cambridge. This will report to government by early 2026"
Do you have any information about this report?
We reported our progress to the Ministers via the Ministerial Water Delivery Taskforce, which we did in January/February. This effectively set out our proposal that we would be increasing capacity at the Milton site to accommodate growth across Cambridge, so there wasn’t a specific report that we submitted to Ministers. Internally we have developed a phased Feasibility Study, that was for internal use which is now being taken forward through outline design proposals for Milton WRC.
2) The November written update noted that Cambridge City Council and Anglian Water's proposals for the new Hartree development were not currently being progressed.
In order to increase the land available for residential housing, if the Wastewater Treatment Works is upgraded and consolidated at Milton rather than moving to a new site, will there be a re-examination of the layout of proposed development? Secondly, will the possibility of reducing the 450m radius "exclusion zone" be examined?
We are developing the design for the Milton Water Recycling Centre - this will be carried out in phases. We are looking at the layout of the site, however we are still in early design stages.
View the map of Northeast Cambridge [PDF, 2MB]. The site map shows the locations of development proposals across North East Cambridge, colour coded by stage of the planning process.
Brookgate application (reference 22/02771/OUT)
Land to the north of Cambridge North Station. This is a hybrid planning application for 425 residential dwellings and 5 commercial buildings. It was allowed by the Secretary of State in April 2024 following a public inquiry in Summer 2023. GCSP Strategic Sites anticipate commencement of the first commercial office building and its residential phase between Q4 2026 and Q1 2027 following resolution of associated non-material planning amendments to the approved appeal scheme.
Merlin Place/Taylor Vinters Building, 460 Milton Road (reference 23/00835/FUL)
The planning application for the replacement of this building was taken to the Councils’ Joint Development Control Committee on 24 January 2024 and was approved subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The decision was issued in July 2024. Redevelopment of the site is now well underway following discharge of required pre-commencement conditions.
Vitrum Building, on the Innovation Park (reference 23/01487/FUL and 23/01509/FUL).
Redevelopment proposal to demolish and replace the building. This application was approved, subject to planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement relating to transport mitigation, at the November 2023 meeting of the Joint Development Control Committee. The decision was issued in February 2024. Applications for the discharge of planning conditions have been submitted, and redevelopment of the site is well underway.
St Johns Innovation Park (20/03523/FUL)
Redevelopment proposal to demolish the existing building and replace with two buildings for commercial / research purposes and transport hub. This application was approved, subject to planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement relating to transport mitigation, at the October 2021 Joint Development Control Committee. The decision was issued in July 2022. Pre-commencement conditions have been discharged and building 1 is currently under construction
Cambridge Science Park (191 Cambridge Science Park – NAPP) (reference 25/00113/FUL)
A planning application for a proposed two storey extension to the Bard Building for a new Packaging Hall with first floor specialist building services plant, and enclosed link to the existing warehouse at ground level was submitted in January 2025. The application was approved at the Joint Development Management Committee on 18 June 2025. The decision was issued 3 July 2025. Pre-commencement conditions have been discharged.
Cambridge Science Park (Plot 210 – 240) (reference 24/04575/FUL)
Development of plots 210-240 comprising flexible lab office buildings and supporting infrastructure was approved at the Council’s Joint Development Management Committee in September 2025, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.
Cambridge Science Park (Plot 440) (reference 24/01079/FUL)
Development of Plot 440 for a research and development office building was approved at the Council’s Joint Development Control Committee on the 21 August 2024, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The decision was issued on 7 April 2025.
Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Relocation
Anglian Water’s Development Consent Order (DCO) for the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant was granted by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 April 2025. In August 2025, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government withdrew funding from the Housing Infrastructure Fund to support the relocation of Anglian Water's Waste Water Treatment Plant from the current site on Cowley Road.
As a result of this decision, Cambridge City Council and Anglian Water's proposals for the new Hartree development are not currently being progressed.
Cambridge City Council – Operational Hub (reference 23/01878/FUL)
Cambridge City Council’s Operational Hub to support all Council staff, specifically front-line service providers, opened in October 2025.
Trinity Hall Farm (reference 25/00016/FUL).
A planning application was submitted in January 2025 for the demolition of existing buildings and new offices, research and development buildings with associated retail, café and public garden. The application was approved at the Joint Development Management Committee on 19 November 2025, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.
Cambridge Business Park (reference 25/02022/FUL)
Cambridge Business Park Pilot Project. Refurbishment and extension to existing building for continued Class E use (including office and laboratory use with ancillary cafe, event and community space) and landscaping, car and cycle parking, plant and storage. This application was approved, subject to planning conditions by the Joint Development Management Committee and the decision was issued in November 2025.
Cambridge Science Park
Trinity College is reimagining Cambridge Science Park. This vision includes space to support further growth as well as a bold new 'Park of Science' running through it. This will enable residents and their guests to meet, local children to visit, and Cambridge residents to enjoy the wonders of science, art, and entertainment in a beautiful, landscaped, interconnected green space built upon scientific principles.
From 18th September to 10th October, the College hosted a series of events and conversations with local people to gain their input and perspective on these plans. Of the 137 people who took time to share their thoughts, seventy attended the dedicated public exhibitions. The project team also hosted a series of workshops with over 130 students from three local schools, whilst meeting numerous community groups and businesses to understand local priorities. Key themes emerging from these conversations included a desire for more accessible green spaces, improved walking and cycling routes, and enhanced communal facilities.
The College and its partners are hugely grateful to all those who participated and offered such valuable insights. It is crucial that the masterplan aligns with these local priorities. Community feedback is already being incorporated into the evolving masterplan.
If you would like to receive news and updates as the scheme develops, please sign up to the mailing list.
Cambridge Business Park
The Crown Estate is currently undertaking its third round of consultation to transform Cambridge Business Park. The consultation is running until 7 December 2025.
The updated proposals aim to create a vibrant gateway to the emerging North East Cambridge Innovation District, delivering welcoming new public spaces, new homes, restaurants, active green areas, and 1.7 million square feet of lab and office spaces with the potential to support up to 8,000 jobs.
The key themes raised so far have included increasing the site’s connectivity, delivering innovative housing options, and exploring different uses for community spaces.
You can view the exhibition materials, as well as share your thoughts and feedback about the proposals through the online survey. The Crown Estate is keen to gain your local insights to help inform the finalised proposals, so please submit your survey responses by 7 December 2025. Once the feedback has been carefully considered, the finalised proposals will be shared again with the public in early 2026.
If you would like to receive updates as the project progresses, you can sign up to the mailing list.
Brookgate application (reference 22/02771/OUT)
Land to the north of Cambridge North Station. This is a hybrid planning application for 425 residential dwellings and three commercial buildings. It was allowed by the Secretary of State in April 2024 following a public inquiry in Summer 2023.
Merlin Place/Taylor Vinters Building, 460 Milton Road (reference 23/00835/FUL)
The planning application for the replacement of this building was taken to the Councils’ Joint Development Control Committee on 24 January 2024 and was approved subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The decision was issued in July 2024. Redevelopment of the site is now well underway following discharge of required pre-commencement conditions.
Vitrum Building, on the Innovation Park (reference 23/01487/FUL and 23/01509/FUL).
Redevelopment proposal to demolish and replace the building. This application was approved, subject to planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement relating to transport mitigation, at the November 2023 meeting of the Joint Development Control Committee. The decision was issued in February 2024. Applications for the discharge of planning conditions have been submitted, and redevelopment of the site is well underway.
Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Relocation
Anglian Water’s Development Consent Order (DCO) for the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant was granted by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 April 2025. In August 2025, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government withdrew funding from the Housing Infrastructure Fund to support the relocation of Anglian Water's Waste Water Treatment Plant from the current site on Cowley Road.
As a result of this decision, Cambridge City Council and Anglian Water's proposals for the new Hartree development are not currently being progressed.
Greater Cambridge Shared Planning
Cambridge Science Park (Plot 440) (reference 24/01079/FUL)
Development of Plot 440 for a research and development office building was approved at the Council’s Joint Development Control Committee on the 21 August 2024, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The decision was issued on 7 April 2025.
Cambridge City Council – Operational Hub (reference 23/01878/FUL)
Cambridge City Council’s Operational Hub to support all Council staff, specifically front-line service providers, opened in October 2025.
Cambridge Science Park (Plot 210 – 240) (reference 24/04575/FUL)
Development of plots 210-240 comprising flexible lab office buildings and supporting infrastructure was approved at the Council’s Joint Development Management Committee in September 2025, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.
Cambridge Science Park (191 Cambridge Science Park – NAPP) (reference 25/00113/FUL)
A planning application for a proposed two-storey extension to the Bard Building for a new Packaging Hall with first floor specialist building services plant, and enclosed link to the existing warehouse at ground level was submitted in January 2025. The application was approved at the Joint Development Management Committee on 18 June 2025. The decision was issued 3 July 2025.
Trinity Hall Farm (reference 25/00016/FUL). A planning application was submitted in January 2025 for the demolition of existing buildings and new offices, research and development buildings with associated retail, café, and public garden. The application was approved at the Joint Development Management Committee on 19 November 2025, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.
The community forum that was due to take place in July 2025 was cancelled, and a written update was provided instead.
The update, which is on planning applications around the area, are as follows:
Brookgate application (reference 22/02771/OUT)
Land to the north of Cambridge North Station. This is a hybrid planning application for 425 residential dwellings and 3 commercial buildings. It was allowed by the Secretary of State in April 2024 following a public inquiry in Summer 2023.
Merlin Place/Taylor Vinters Building, 460 Milton Road (reference 23/00835/FUL)
The planning application for the replacement of this building was taken to the Councils’ Joint Development Control Committee on 24 January 2024 and was approved subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The decision was issued in July 2024. Redevelopment of the site is now well underway following discharge of required pre-commencement conditions.
Vitrum Building, on the Innovation Park (reference 23/01487/FUL and 23/01509/FUL).
Redevelopment proposal to demolish and replace the building. This application was approved, subject to planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement relating to transport mitigation, at the November 2023 meeting of the Joint Development Control Committee. The decision was issued in February 2024. Applications for the discharge of planning conditions have been submitted, and redevelopment of the site is well underway.
Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Relocation
The Development Consent Order (DCO) was granted by the Secretary of State on 8 April 2025. The Order grants consent for a new wastewater treatment plant, including associated infrastructure, and decommissioning works to the existing Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant. The proposed wastewater treatment plant is to be sited approximately 2 kilometres to the east of the existing site.
The Core Site (Hartree) scheme
The emerging master plan and outline planning application proposals for land owned by Anglian Water and Cambridge City Council was presented to the members of the Joint Development Control Committee on the 26 March and 16 October 2024. Public consultations by the developers took place in March 2024. A further pre-application developer briefing to the Joint Development Control Committee took place in January 2025. Pre-application discussions have been ongoing with developers.
Cambridge Science Park (Plot 440) (reference 24/01079/FUL)
Development of Plot 440 for a research and development office building was approved at the Council’s Joint Development Control Committee on the 21 August 2024, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The decision was issued on 7 April 2025.
Cambridge City Council – Operational Hub (reference 23/01878/FUL)
Cambridge City Council is building a new Operational Hub to support all Council staff, specifically front-line service providers. This new Hub is replacing the current Cowley Road Depot and 130 Cowley Road on City Council owned land, on the site previously known as Cowley Road Enterprise Units. Work is due to be completed by late Summer 2025. Stakeholders can reach out to the Ops Hub team via email at operationshub@cambridge.gov.uk
Cambridge Science Park (Plot 210 – 240) (reference 24/04575/FUL)
A scheme was presented to members of the Joint Development Control Committee as a pre-application developer briefing on 20 March 2024. A planning application for demolition and redevelopment of the site, comprising flexible lab office buildings and supporting infrastructure was submitted in December 2024.
Cambridge Science Park (191 Cambridge Science Park – NAPP) (reference 25/00113/FUL)
A scheme was presented to members of the Joint Development Control Committee as a pre-application developer briefing on the 16 October 2024. A planning application for a proposed two-storey extension to the Bard Building for a new Packaging Hall with first floor specialist building services plant, and enclosed link to the existing warehouse at ground level was submitted in January 2025. The application was approved at the Joint Development Management Committee on 18 June 2025. The decision was issued 3 July 2025.
Trinity Hall Farm (reference 25/00016/FUL)
A scheme was presented to members of the Joint Development Control Committee as a pre-application developer briefing on 19 June 2024. A planning application was submitted in January 2025 for the demolition of existing buildings and new offices, research and development buildings with associated retail, café and public garden.
Where: Virtual meeting - Microsoft Teams
Attendance: 23 people
Watch the North East Cambridge Community Forum
When will the amount of car parking for the station be increased by making the car park multi storey? And how will you accommodate station parking while the new car park is being built?
Car parking numbers for Cambridge North Station will be delivered in line with the requirements of the Outline application 22/0771/OUT. For information, the existing surface level car park contains 428 spaces, and they have permission to build a new mobility hub accommodating 725 spaces in total with 622 of these proposed for rail users. That’s an increase of 194 spaces on the existing provision. The remaining 103 spaces would be provided within the basement level of the mobility hub, 20 of which would be re-providing the existing hotel spaces with the remaining 83 for the use of the commercial development.
In terms of the delivery of the car parking, there will need to be a detailed phasing strategy worked out to support future Reserved Matters applications. This will need to provide certainty about the provision of car parking to meet the operational needs of the station during the construction of the multistorey car park. This may involve temporary surface level provision being made.
Current planning applications
Brookgate application (reference 22/02771/OUT)
Land to the north of Cambridge North Station. This is a hybrid planning application for 425 residential dwellings and 3 commercial buildings. It was allowed on appeal in April 2024.
Merlin Place/Taylor Vinters Building, 460 Milton Road (reference 23/00835/FUL)
The planning application for the replacement of this building was taken to the Councils’ Joint Development Control Committee on 24 January 2024 and was approved subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement. The decision was issued in July 2024. Redevelopment of the site is now underway following discharge of required pre-commencement conditions.
Vitrum Building, on the Innovation Park (reference 23/01487/FUL and 23/01509/FUL).
Redevelopment proposal to demolish and replace the building. This application was approved, subject to planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement relating to transport mitigation, at the November 2023 meeting of the Joint Development Control Committee. The decision was issued in February 2024. Applications for the discharge of planning conditions have been submitted and redevelopment of the site has commenced.
Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Relocation
The Development Consent Order (DCO) has been through examination stage with the Planning Inspectorate which began in October 2023 and closed on 17 April 2024. The report has been sent to the Secretary of State in mid-July 2024. A decision was expected in October 2024 but this has been delayed until January 2025 to allow further time for additional clarifications to be sought regarding assessment of cumulative impact and the weight to be attached to emerging Central Government policy.
Cambridge Science Park (Plot 440) (reference 24/01079/FUL)
Development of Plot 440 was approved at the Council’s Joint Development Control Committee on the 21 August 2024, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.
Cambridge City Council – Operational Hub
Cambridge City Council is building a new Operational Hub to support all Council staff, specifically front-line service providers. This new Hub will replace the current Cowley Road Depot and 130 Cowley Road. The new Hub will be built on City Council owned land, on the site previously known as Cowley Road Enterprise Units. Work is due to be completed by early Summer 2025. Stakeholders can reach out to the Ops Hub team via email at operationshub@cambridge.gov.uk
Other development proposals which officers are working on through the pre-application process:
Cambridge Science Park (Plot 210 – 240)
A scheme was presented to members of the Joint Development Control Committee as a developer briefing on 20 March 2024 for Plot 210-240. The proposals are for demolition and redevelopment of the site, comprising flexible lab office buildings and supporting infrastructure. A planning application is expected to be submitted to the local planning authority before the end of the year.
Cambridge Science Park (191 Cambridge Science Park – NAPP)
Proposed two storey extension to the southwest Bard Building for a new Packaging Hall with first floor specialist building services plant, and enclosed link to the existing warehouse at ground level. Scheme was presented to members of the Joint Development Control Committee on the 16 October 2024.
The Core Site (Hartree) scheme
The emerging master plan for land owned by Anglian Water and Cambridge City Council was presented to the members of the Joint Development Control Committee on the 16 October 2024. Public consultations by the developers took place in March 2024. Pre-application discussions are ongoing with developers. The application is likely to be submitted in March 2025.
Trinity Hall Farm
A scheme was presented to members of the Joint Development Control Committee as a developer briefing on 19 June 2024. Pre-application discussions are underway for this site with proposals seeking to provide a mixture of lab and office space.