Pizza Hut and Starbucks in Newmarket Road to be knocked down for new offices
The Pizza Hut and Starbucks in Newmarket Road, Cambridge, will be knocked down to make way for a new office building.
Plans have been approved to build a new ‘five-storey plus one’ office block at Cambridge Retail Park amid concerns the height of the new building could “dominate” Newmarket Road.
Developer Railpen said it plans to create a “bold striking development” to replace “three low quality buildings”. The proposals are part of a wider project to redevelop the retail park.
Matthew Howard, speaking on behalf of the developer, told a Cambridge City Council planning meeting on Wednesday (5 March) that the latest proposals showed their “continued investment” in the retail park.
Mr Howard said: “Our goal is to offer a diverse mix of facilities and provide compelling reasons for visitors to return, making it a vibrant and sustainable destination.
“We propose replacing three low quality buildings, which currently detract from the street scape, with a bold striking development.
“Its design, refined over several years in collaboration with planning officers [and] put through two design review panels, embodies our commitment to creating a timeless and exemplary building.
“It will feature retail frontage to the park, offices facing Newmarket Road, and extensive landscaping to align with the council’s vision for this key city gateway.”
Outline plans were also put forward for a new retail/food and beverage unit, but more detailed plans will need to be submitted and approved before work on this can go ahead.
Cllr Naomi Bennett (Green, Abbey) said she welcomed the redevelopment of the “eyesore” site. However, she said people living nearby were “extremely anxious about the construction process” and asked the developer to keep people informed throughout the work.
Cllr Bennett also asked if the developer could consult with people living nearby on when the office roof terrace could be used by employees.
Cllr Dave Baigent (Lab, Romsey) highlighted that officers had suggested the new block would be a “strong building”, but said another view could be that it “dominated Newmarket Road”. He asked whether officers considered the “fifth or sixth floor is a floor too many”.
Officers explained that the plan for the building had been to make it a “focal point in Newmarket Road” and said it was “not much higher” than the existing Premier Inn building.
Cllr Katie Thornburrow, executive councillor for planning, building control and infrastructure, said she thought it was a “very interesting building”.
However, she said when plans for future buildings at the retail park come forward she would like to see more “articulation” between the heights.
Committee chair Cllr Martin Smart (Lab, King’s Hedges) said he did not “see the beauty” of the building himself, but it was “okay” and “certainly better than what is existing on the site”.
Cllr Baigent also raised concerns about the safety of cyclists leaving work at the same time as people leaving in their cars.
He said there would be a “conflict” between cyclists and cars leaving on to Newmarket Road, which he said created a danger for cyclists.
Other councillors suggested people may not all end up leaving at the same time. It was also highlighted that cyclists could leave a different way to avoid the conflict with drivers.
