The Spicers Site Sawston

Carter Jonas have obtained approval for a flagship development of 50,000 square metres of Research & Development space at the Spicers Site, south of Cambridge. The campus is to become Huawei’s flagship semiconductor R&D centre in Europe, and will mark an initial phase in the creation of a world class facility for future generation photonics research on the site.

The site comprises the former Spicer’s office supplies factory sitting off the Sawston bypass and the Cambridge to Liverpool Street railway line. Whilst designated as an Employment Centre in the Local Plan, the site is surrounded by Green Belt and in close proximity to a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Carter Jonas navigated considerable public interest in the proposals, working closely with the architects, clients, and wider project team to develop the designs. The interactive design process was informed by the views of the local authority, consultees, stakeholders and the wider local community, with landscape impact an important concern following withdrawal of an earlier application. Following this work, Sawston and Whittlesford Parish Councils both supported the application, and the Planning Committee agreed that the proposals constituted a high quality design that had been informed by the opportunities and constraints of the area.

At least 10% of the emissions from the development will be offset by renewable or low-carbon energy sources. Solar panels will generate electricity for the building while heating and hot water would be provided by renewable and re-use means. The proposals are also forecast to generate a Biodiversity Net Gain of 15%. Around 400 jobs are to be created.