Policy S/PA/CC: Cambridge City Centre

1.    Cambridge City Centre will be the primary focus for developments attracting many people and for meeting retail, leisure, cultural and other needs appropriate to its role as a multi-functional regional centre. The city centre boundary is shown on the Policies Map. Any new development or redevelopment should:
  a.    add to the vitality, vibrancy, inclusivity, diversity and viability of the city centre;
  b.    achieve a suitable mix of uses, supporting the city centre’s:
    i.    appeal and attractiveness, to both residents and visitors, alike; and
    ii.    many cultural venues and leisure/entertainment facilities;
  c.    preserve or enhance heritage assets and their setting, open spaces and the River Cam;
  d.    be of the highest quality design and improve the capacity, accessibility and quality of the public realm;
  e.    promote sustainable modes of transport.

2.    Within the city centre, Lion Yard and Grand Arcade are important sub-regional shopping destinations. Their adaption to changing retail and leisure trends will be supported which allow them to continue to perform their ‘destination’ role for residents and visitors alike.

3.    Opportunities to support and enhance the centre’s diverse range of cultural activity spaces will be supported, including those close to the centre.

4.    Within the historic core, sensitive redevelopment/infill opportunities will be supported. Areas outside the historic core including Fitzroy/Burleigh Street/Grafton Area also present an opportunity for mixed-use intensification.

5.    Other policies in the plan set out opportunities for redevelopment or improvement within the city centre itself, at the edge of the city centre, or beyond, include:
  a.    The Fitzroy/Burleigh Street/Grafton Area of Major Change
  b.    Beehive Centre Area of Major Change
  c.    Cambridge Retail Park Public Realm Improvement Area
  d.    Eastern Gate Public Realm Improvement Area
  e.    Hills Road and Regent Street Corridor Public Realm Improvement Area
  f.    Mill Road Public Realm Improvement Area.

Cambridge city centre performs an important multi-functional, sub-regional role by providing a wide range of uses including shopping, leisure, entertainment, cultural events and activities, museums, employment and university colleges and student accommodation. In addition to its historic core, the centre is also a busy transport hub and national and international tourist destination, in addition to providing for the needs of those living, working and studying in the city.

The policy recognises that consumer behaviour has changed, in recent years which has seen the decline in demand for units. The city centre has therefore had to evolved to ensure it remains a vibrant place to visit. Lion Yard and Grand Arcade are important sub-regional shopping centres which have successfully evolved with the conversion of some comparison retail floorspace to alternative commercial leisure uses.

Figure 45: Site Plan of Policy S/PA/CC: Cambridge City Centre
 
The policy also supports cultural infrastructure investment as this should not only maintain existing cultural spaces but also stimulate additional cultural activity; and with it, greater social and economic benefits. These include greater participation in creative, community and social activities, better use of under-used spaces vacated by retail units, greater support for the evening and nighttime economy and more general placemaking within the centre and beyond. It is therefore important that the policy sets out the Council’s approach towards development in the city centre and identifies specific proposals for parts of the city centre along with other related policy areas set out in in the plan.

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

: Sites Topic Paper

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

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All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.