With limited space for employment uses in Cambridge, West Cambridge is considered a suitable site to capitalise on the employment uses associated with its aim as an innovation district.

The policy is recommending that it provides additional flexibility by allowing an element of residential, focused on affordable housing and key workers, where it would support making the campus become a more vibrant employment location, and not harm employment availability.

It is essential that the balance of residential to employment use is carefully considered to ensure that the aim of the site as an innovation district is not compromised. It is supported in principle as allowing affordable housing for key workers associated specifically with the uses of the site could enable reduced commuting for those working on the campus and thus reduced traffic congestion and carbon emissions. This would be especially beneficial to those who are most affected by lower wages forcing them to live further away from their place of employment in the surrounding districts.