Gym, barbecue spots, cafe and more lab space in revised Cambridge International Technology Park plans

A new gym, outdoor barbecue spots and a cafe are proposed as part of a redesign of a new research and development park on the edge of Cambridge.

Cambridge International Technology Park is planned to be built on what is currently 15 acres of arable farmland, off Fulbourn Road.

It lies east of Peterhouse Technology Park, which is home to chip giant Arm’s global headquarters.

The new business park will provide new laboratory space for life science companies, along with office space and a multi-decked car park.

A planning application for the business park was initially refused permission over concerns about the development “exacerbating” congestion and fears that the size of the buildings would have an “unacceptable impact” on the surrounding green belt landscape.

However, that decision was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate following an appeal.

Councillors from Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council were brief on the plans to adapt the design for the first building at a meeting of the joint development control committee on Wednesday (June 21).

Representatives of developer BioMed Realty said the changes aimed to “enhance” the development, and “address some of the legacy concerns”.

Changes to the outside appearance of the building are proposed, with less glass used in favour of materials found elsewhere in the city.

A new cafe, gym and flexible use community room have been added too.

And while the first building had been planned as offices, the developers now want to use 60 per cent of it for laboratory space and 40 per cent for offices.

This will mean fewer people working in the building, cutting traffic, so the representatives said they hoped to reduce the number of car parking spaces from 915 to 808. They aim to increase the number of bicycle spaces from 366 to 426, and plan 86 accessible cycle spaces now, instead of 28.

The representatives said the adapted designs stayed within the footprint of the already permitted building, although landscaping changes are also proposed, including barbecue spots and table tennis tables.

Councillors were allowed to ask questions, but were not able to offer their own verdict.

Cllr Anna Bradnam (Lib Dem, Milton and Waterbeach) pointed out that the majority of cycle parking would be in double stacked stands, which can be harder for people to use, rather than Sheffield stands.

The representatives said they would follow the council’s policy requirements for cycle parking when submitting the plans.

Cllr Dr Tumi Hawkins (Lib Dem, Caldecote) asked if creating a space for a child care facility had been considered.

The representatives said conversations about child care options were taking place with existing providers and it would be considered as the wider park plans were developed.

A planning application is expected at a later date seeking approval from councillors for the proposed changes.