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Policy S/PRIA/OPML: Old Press/Mill Lane

Consultation is open from 3 August 2026 9:00am to 25 September 2026 5:00pm

Policy S/PRIA/OPML: Old Press/Mill Lane

1.  Development proposals for the Old Press/Mill Lane site will be supported if they are in accordance with the site allocation for S/C/OPML Old Press/Mill Lane and:

  1. Preserve and enhance the special historic character and appearance of heritage assets, including the Cambridge Historic Core conservation area, and, Grade II Listed Assets, and numerous Grade II Listed Buildings and their settings;
  2. Create the opportunity for the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, where possible;
  3. Create the opportunity for redevelopment to provide high-quality, sustainable new buildings of innovative design, which contribute positively to the Cambridge Historic Core conservation area and the settings of listed buildings their surroundings;
  4. Create and enhance areas of public open space and public realm to a high quality, potentially including a new public space fronting on to the river;
  5. Development proposals should complement and enhance the wider setting of the site, including the green corridor formed by the River Cam and the surrounding Greens and Fens;
  6. Minimise non-essential car parking and improve servicing; 
  7. Improve accessibility and permeability through the site and create safer streets with priority for pedestrians and cyclists; and
  8. Provide high quality, well-designed areas of cycle parking.


Site Plan of S/PRIA/OPML: Old Press/Mill Lane
Figure 51: Site Plan of S/PRIA/OPML: Old Press/Mill Lane

Supporting information

3.1.146. The Old Press/Mill Lane site lies in the historic core of the city and currently accommodates a range of the University of Cambridge’s academic and administrative facilities. The area south of Mill Lane has now been developed for a range of faculty uses including student accommodation, college administration and teaching spaces.

3.1.147. A planning application was approved in 2021, under 18/1930/FUL for the expansion of Pembroke College and construction of supporting uses for the University including student residential, teaching space, leisure and community and commercial uses. The remaining undeveloped site allocated under site allocation reference Site S/C/OPM, provides a range of university related uses and the opportunity to support the area’s on-going reconfiguration to create a lively, attractive area adjoining the river; scope to enhance the public realm and the setting of heritage assets; to address existing conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians; and to reuse and redevelop buildings for a range of land uses. It is therefore important that site proposals conform with an agreed masterplan to ensure they consider the area’s over-arching objectives, including their contribution towards access public realm treatments and the inclusion of active uses between all land parcels.

Tell us what you think

For further guidance on how to submit comments, please see the Representation Guidance Note.

All comments must be received by 25 September 2026 at 5pm.