Plans submitted for Melbourn Science Park redevelopment

Bruntwood SciTech - a property specialist for science and technology businesses - is investing more than £250 million into the project.

The plans, designed by architects Sheppard Robson, are for a 390,000 sq ft laboratory and office workspace for approximately 75 life science and tech businesses.

These would include new coworking space for start-up businesses, along with improvements to the facilities and amenities on the campus.

The vision has been revealed following a 12-month planning performance agreement with the Greater Cambridgeshire Planning Department, and three public consultations.

With designs orientated towards sustainability and wellbeing, the proposals include refurbishments of three existing buildings alongside six new builds.

A new event space is proposed, as well as all buildings including new breakout space, showers, lockers and sports kit drying rooms.

Transport provision will also be improved - with a mobility hub featuring a large cycle store with repair and maintenance stations, cycle hire, and a car park with electric vehicle charging points.

There are also plans for a gastro pub and an 18-bedroom hotel.

Melbourn Science Park (Image: Google Street View)

All developments within the plan are targeted to be net carbon zero in construction and operation, following a transformation project that will retain as much of the existing fabric of the park's buildings as possible.

The park will also be 100 per cent electric, and 600 square metres of solar panels will be installed acros the park's roof space. 

Blue-green roofs will be installed on five of the new buildings, with an approximate size of nearly 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools, to ensure water drainage is sustainable and to support the campus' biodiversity.

The plans aim to increase biodiversity by up to 30 per cent, with an additional 275 trees planted to form woodland and extend green areas. Bird and bat boxes will be incorporated into buildings, while new plant species aim to create overall habitat diversity.

Following public consultation, Bruntwood SciTech hopes to benefit the community through the creation of a new village green, which will lead through to the gastro pub and hotel.

This will also create new walking routes through the park's landscaping, including a 'leisure loop' with trees and wetlands.

Jamie Clyde, director of southern region and innovation services at Bruntwood SciTech, said: "Our major investment into Melbourn Science Park reaffirms our long term commitment to support the growth of Cambridgeshire's life science and tech cluster, connecting businesses to our UK network of over 500 existing sector specialist companies of all sizes.

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"We are building on the park’s proud history as a centre for scientific innovation. Our vision for the campus is to be a world class and globally recognised hub where research, commercialisation and corporate innovation come together to improve human lives and healthcare.

"It will be a unique place to innovate, collaborate, grow businesses and socialise while promoting inclusivity and wellbeing for those who work on the campus and the wider local community."

The existing science park, which is owned by Bruntwood SciTech, covers 17 acres and nine buildings.

By redeveloping and expanding the park, the plan aims to "supercharge" Cambridgeshire's existing life science and tech capacity - with demand soaring for specialist lab and office space.

The first phase of redevelopment is expected to begin in winter 2023, and reach completion in spring 2026.