Cambridge Science Park Unveils Ambitious 30-Year Redevelopment Plans

Cambridge Science Park presented its significant redevelopment plans for the next 30 years during an exhibition on September 18, 2023. The ambitious proposals aim to create additional space for future growth and introduce a new “Park of Science,” featuring interactive scientific art and outdoor learning areas.

Trinity College, which founded the park in 1970, plans to invest over five decades in three distinct phases. These include refreshing existing infrastructure, establishing the Park of Science, and building net-zero workspaces while replacing outdated structures. The initiative seeks community input on the planning application, which is set to be submitted in early 2026.

Community engagement is a key component of the project. Another exhibition will occur on September 20, 2023, from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Waterside Suite in The Trinity Centre, located within Cambridge Science Park. Feedback on the plans can also be submitted via the project’s website until October 10, 2023.

Currently, the 150-acre site is home to more than 100 science and technology companies, employing over 7,000 staff. According to the organisers, the redevelopment will attract new businesses, create jobs, and generate numerous opportunities for the people of Cambridge.

Economic Impact and Future Vision

This initiative aligns with government plans to develop Cambridge and Oxford into “Europe’s Silicon Valley.” Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that this transformation could contribute an estimated £78 billion to the UK economy. Since 2017, the site has already added 380,000 square feet of floorspace, but these new proposals aim to facilitate more organized future expansion.

This is not the first expansion proposal for Cambridge Science Park. In 2021, the park released its “vision for 2050,” which included plans for a new section called Cambridge Science Park North, situated across the A14.

Some community members express concerns regarding the level of local involvement in the development process. Local historian and advocate Cambridge Town Owl questioned whether Trinity College’s finance committee would do more than the minimum for residents of Arbury and King’s Hedges, an area facing significant socioeconomic challenges.

In response to these concerns, the organisers emphasized their commitment to community benefits. “We want to open the Park to everyone,” they stated. “It will be a place where families want to spend time at weekends, where schools bring pupils to learn and explore, where students can connect, study, and be inspired, and where innovators can encourage their companies to relocate.”

The future of Cambridge Science Park promises exciting developments, and the ongoing dialogue with the community will be crucial in shaping its path forward.