April 18, 2024
Resolution to grant permission for new science and innovation campus to the south of Cambridge city
Property investment and development company, Bridgemere, in conjunction with Foundation Capital Ventures (FCV), is delighted to confirm planning approval for its landmark science and innovation campus, Cambridge Discovery Campus. Bridgemere and FCV have been working closely with South Cambridgeshire District Council to bring forward this much needed new development.
The site located two miles south of Cambridge city has been promoted by Bridgemere and FCV. On completion, Cambridge Discovery Campus will provide 343,000 sq ft of science and innovation space, ideal for small to medium sized ventures, 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.
Located at the heart of Cambridge’s thriving life science cluster and adjacent to the new Southwest travel hub (Park & Ride) – providing direct access in under 10 minutes by road to both Cambridge Biomedical Campus and the city centre – Cambridge Discovery Campus will 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, Partner, 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.
For more information please contact Rob Sadler, FCV: rs@foundationcapitalventures.com or Will Heath, Bridgemere: will.heath@bridgemere-group.co.uk
