Three-storey R&D building approved for Cheddars Lane in Cambridge

A new three-storey research and development building will be built in Cambridge after councillors approved the plans.

It will place redundant buildings in Cheddars Lane that planning officers said were in “poor condition” and in need of redevelopment.

A representative of the developer, GRC Camprop Eleven Ltd, told councillors at a Cambridge City Council planning committee meeting last Wednesday (October 4) that the new building would be a “positive addition” to Cheddars Lane, and had been “carefully designed” to prevent it from being “overbearing” on nearby homes.

The development is intended to be car free and the developer said it would create commercial space that was in “significant demand”.

One neighbour raised concerns about the increased number of people travelling to the area.

And speaking at the meeting a resident said neighbours had been approached by the developer looking to buy their properties and said they had been told further development was planned.

Cllr Katie Porrer (Lib Dem, Market) had concerns about the design of the building, explaining that she did not think the staggered levels stepped up “convincingly” and said she would prefer not to be “quite so brutal”.

Cllr Dave Baigent (Lab, Romsey) thought the proposed building was in keeping with the area.

Cllr Katie Thornburrow (Lab, Petersfield) and Cllr Martin Smart (Lab, King’s Hedges) both raised questions about how much water would be used once it was built.

Officers explained that the proposals were an example of a “highly efficient building” in terms of its water usage, highlighting the plans to collect water on the building roof.

The committee voted unanimously in favour of approving the plans.