Providing advice for a new urban innovation district with research and development facilities that integrate with the community

District East - Planning Services

In the City of Cambridge, our client, Mission Street, is looking to create an environment that responds to evolving occupational trends in research while contributing positively to the City’s wider economic vision. District East represents a unique opportunity to create an urban innovation district on a central site—revitalising contaminated land currently inaccessible to the public to form a thriving science destination and provide a new urban park in line with the local plan.

Mission Street and BGO engaged us to help with creating a sustainable development. We’ve been providing guidance and planning services since they acquired the site. We’ve also developed and implemented the planning strategy, leading statutory consultee engagement and applying this to community engagement. Additionally, we prepared the planning application and led on post-submission negotiations. Our team also devised the social value strategy for the scheme.

Planning permission has been granted and when complete, District East will address the need for high-quality, flexible space for innovation and sustainable research and development—with nine modern buildings to suit companies at all stages of their lifecycles. A travel hub and public areas at the centre of the site will support recreational activities for people of all ages. The project will also deliver ecological habitat creation and enhancements along with improved accessibility to a closed-off lake.