Green light for regeneration of Cambridge’s Grafton Centre

Pioneer Group, a developer and operator of life science and high-tech campuses, has secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the Grafton Centre in Cambridge.Subject to S106, the planning committee at Cambridge City Council voted in favour of the multimillion-pound regeneration of the shopping centre, which will be converted into laboratory and office space for life science and tech companies.The western end of the centre will be retained and developed into a more attractive destination for local shoppers.The redevelopment will contribute towards addressing demand and short supply of laboratories and offices in the Cambridge area, while providing amenities for the local community and occupiers.Cambridge City Council town planners welcomed the scheme as a “significant opportunity” to bring “strong benefits economically, socially and environmentally” to the Grafton Centre and the centre of Cambridge.Richard O’Boyle, chief executive of Pioneer Group, said: “Cambridge is at the heart of the UK’s research industry, but new lab space is in short supply and desperately needed.”By providing spaces suitable for international companies, small start-ups, and scale-ups in one building in the city centre, scientists here will be able to work together, as well as collaborate with mentors from Pioneer, researchers in the city’s amazing universities, and investors, to help them develop lifesaving new technologies.”Michael Walters, group director at Corstorphine & Wright, designer of the scheme, added: “This project represents a significant investment in the future of Cambridge, and we are eager to bring our extensive town centre regeneration experience providing a sustainable future to current distressed assets.”We are also pleased to continue our work with Pioneer Group to create desirable and flexible lab space and contribute to the city’s continued growth and development.”Jonathan Bainbridge, partner in the planning team at Bidwells, said: “The Grafton Centre is a site of vast, as-of-yet unfulfilled potential, and this holistic regeneration project will see it transformed into a thriving commercial and retail hub which gives back to the community – we are grateful to the positive and productive relationship with the community which will be continued.”The success of the broader Oxford to Cambridge supercluster, of which this site will be a significant addition to, relies on this kind of innovative planning and has the potential to be emulated across the region.”