Policy S/AMC/GP: Granta Park

1.

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

proposals for the replacement, intensification and expansion of existing buildings at Granta Park, and for appropriate new development, will be supported only where: 

  b. They demonstrate that the reuse of existing buildings has been explored first before considering expansion and appropriate new development; 

  c. There is no loss of Class (E(g)(ii)) research and development floorspace, reflecting the primary function of the campus, or where there is a sufficiently justified community benefit; 

  d. The design, including building heights, massing and materials, responds sensitively and positively to the existing built form and parkland setting, maintains and enhances connections with key landscape features, including the corridor of the River Granta, and avoids unacceptable adverse impacts on the Grade II* Listed Abington Hall, the adjoining Great and Little Abington

Areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. You can find more information on the Councils’ websites:

Cambridge: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/conservation-areas 

South Cambridgeshire: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/planning/natural-historic-and-built-environment/historic-environment/conservation-areas/

and other nearby designated heritage assets; 

  e. Existing open spaces are maintained and, wherever possible, enhanced; 

  f. There are no resultant adverse impacts on the nearby Alder Carr SSSI; 

  g. They contribute financially to strategic public transport and active travel schemes in the south-east corridor appropriate to the scale and nature of the development; and 

  h. There is adequate provision for supporting services and facilities to support those working and visiting the site, including external amenity spaces. This should be considered as part of a holistic

Element of a location or neighbourhood that helps to make it attractive or enjoyable for residents and visitors such as parks, gardens, peaceful environments or access to community services and facilities.

Strategy. 

Granta Park is a major centre of skilled employment and part of an established network of science and technology campuses in the Rural Southern

Concentrations of companies in related activities, recognisable suppliers, service providers and institutions, which are cooperating, competing and collaborating to build competitive advantage, often across traditional sector boundaries. Such concentrations often depend on access to specialist skills and infrastructure within a specific area.

. Granta Park was first established in 1997 and has seen several applications for redevelopment and renewal of its buildings in recent years. As a result of the significant demand for high quality research and development floorspace across the plan area, this policy is needed to guide and manage this ongoing renewal and maximise the potential of its existing footprint. 

This includes ensuring that developments seek to preserve and enhance its unique setting and features, responds positively to nearby heritage and environmental assets, and wherever possible secures enhanced connections to nearby active travel networks to help mitigate any adverse impacts on the local highways network and complement the general approach to sustainable transport taken elsewhere in the plan (set out in Policy I/ST).

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.