They’re planning over 5,000 new jobs, more than 350 homes, a fresh high street with spots for public gatherings and culture, plus sports and leisure spaces as part of revamping Cambridge Business Park.
The Crown Estate has kicked off its second round of public feedback on these ideas and will be holding an exhibition today (Wednesday, 4 June) from 4 to 8 pm at the park.
A Science Showcase day filled with interactive experiments for kids is set for Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. It’s backed by Cambridge Science Park and tenants there. Folks can also share their thoughts to help shape a more detailed masterplan.
The Crown Estate says it wants to build a “thriving hub for science, innovation and community life” through these plans. Their goal is to help create “a globally significant innovation district in north-east Cambridge” by reimagining the park as a super sustainable, welcoming place that people want to visit.
The project is planned in stages across 15 years, mixing updated old buildings with new ones while boosting green areas, wildlife habitats and access for everyone.
The idea is to make places where innovators can grow their ideas, attract funding, and try out new stuff that benefits society.
Work on the social impact side started already with a Charity Hub opening temporarily on-site. It gives local charities affordable space while long-term plans are worked out. Groups like Red Hen Project, Camcycle, Cam Re-Use, Noise Solutions and Turtle Dove use it now thanks to support from Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service.
Matthew Sampson, regeneration director at The Crown Estate said: “Cambridge Business Park has a key role to play in shaping the next chapter of north-east Cambridge. Our vision is to bridge national mission-led innovation and local social impact, through supporting science and innovation that tackles major challenges – like planetary health – while delivering meaningful opportunities for local people.
“Through our evolving plans and initiatives like the new Charity Hub, we want to show how investment can create places that are not just productive and economically significant, but inclusive, sustainable and which deliver a range of benefits for local communities. This consultation is a chance to help shape our economic, social and environmental ambitions.”
Main goals include:
– Creating over 5,000 jobs across different sectors focusing on growth areas with positive social effects like cleantech and planetary health;
– Building upwards of 350 homes to meet housing needs nearby;
– Offering skills training programs aimed at opening up careers in science, tech and innovation;
– Starting part of a new high street bringing life into the park with public spaces and cultural venues;
– Improving sustainable travel options such as better bike paths plus stronger links to guided busway and surrounding areas;
– Adding leisure spots along with sports facilities supporting community wellbeing;
– Increasing open green spaces plus biodiversity through new waterways, green corridors and wild areas;
– Going beyond usual sustainability standards aiming for WELL , BREEAM , NABERS certifications;
– Embedding water-saving systems targeting cutting usage by about 55%;
– Using lots of recycled or reused materials around site promoting circular economy principles.
The Crown Estate also looks into setting up an innovation hub within an upgraded building temporarily onsite designed for early-stage purpose-driven companies offering labs , shared workspaces , experimental outdoor zones. This spot would test out fresh sustainable practices firsthand.
Artist impressions from this latest phase at Cambridge Business Park. Image credit : The Crown Estate
Local residents , business owners , political figures all invited both online & face-to-face give their views.
This week ’s feedback will guide masterplan updates before more consultations happen early next year prior submitting official plans Cambridge City Council.
The Crown Estates manages assets worth £16billion – including London ’s Regent Street & St James ’ s West End neighborhoods plus much UK coastline seabed – all serving national interest. Its net profits totaling £4bn past decade have gone straight back Treasury.
To check out proposals & take part visit cambridgebusinesspark. commonplace. is /
