Developer says new Cambridge science district will create thousands of jobs

A mockup of one of the research and development buildings. Credit: Mission Street

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The developer behind a new science district planned on an old landfill site in Cambridge has said the project will create thousands of jobs.

Presenting their plans to Cambridge City Council this week, representatives from developer Mission Street said the new “urban innovation district” will be a “globally significant science destination” which also “fully integrates with its neighbourhood and transforms Cambridge lives”.

Mission Street is planning to build the new development on an old landfill site off Coldhams Lane. As well as the new research and development buildings, an “urban country park” will be created, including a protected ecology area.

At the meeting, Mission Street representatives updated councillors on their plans ahead of submitting a formal planning application before the end of this month.

Mission Street says it is keen to encourage people working in the new science park to walk and cycle to work, adding that more than 900 bicycle parking spaces will be available. Furthermore, a proposed shuttle bus service will collect people from park and ride sites on the edge of the city, to encourage those outside of Cambridge to consider job opportunities at the new science development.

One Mission Street representative said concerns have been raised by people about how the development could increase the risk from the old landfill site. The representative said: “We have spent a lot of time speaking to people to help them understand the actual status quo is almost the worst thing to happen here, the landfill does degrade, it does create risk. Through the development it does give us the opportunity to improve that issue, and I think once people understand that it starts to change their perception of what we can do here and the benefits just through cleaning up the site.”

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