Planners back new science and innovation campus in Cambridge
Two miles south of Cambridge city, the scheme will provide 343,000 sq ft of science and innovation space geared to small to medium sized ventures and arranged over six detached, laboratory enabled buildings.
The re-development of the 50-acre site will also include a bespoke amenity building overlooking sports fields to be shared with the local community and a 30-acre country park.
Cambridge Discovery Campus is designed to reinforce Cambridge’s reputation as a world leading life science location through the provision of much needed innovation space in a sustainable location.
With an aspiration to achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, Cambridge Discovery Campus will be one of the first fossil fuel free Campus’ in Cambridge.
Will Heath, CEO, Bridgemere commented: “The importance of Cambridge as a leading life science location both nationally and internationally cannot be underestimated.
"Confidence in the sector and Cambridge’s ability to become a life sciences superpower was further enhanced recently with the announcement that £200 million is to be invested in the expansion of AstraZeneca’s facility at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus - within Europe’s largest life science cluster - which will house approximately 1,000 employees.
“We are delighted to be able to make our own contribution to the future success of the life sciences sector in Cambridge via the provision of much needed, state-of-the-art R & D buildings within a campus that not only supports the health innovations of tomorrow, but which also contributes positively to the local community and surrounding area with additional amenity and green space for everyone to enjoy.”
Rob Sadler of Foundation Capital Ventures added: “The accessibility of Cambridge Discovery Campus to other notable life science R & D locations - the closest being Cambridge Biomedical Campus accessible in minutes by road - makes it perhaps the most strategically important new campus in the cluster.
"In addition to its superb geographical position, the Campus itself will offer occupiers an exceptional ‘whole campus’ environment, marrying flexible, high-quality lab and write up facilities with thoughtfully considered amenity within a stunning parkland setting.”
Contractors have been appointed and will be on site in the near future to start a period of demolition and remediation works ahead of the first phase of development, which will deliver the first of the six laboratory enabled buildings alongside the bespoke amenity facilities.