The intent of this policy is to identify the approach to retail and leisure uses across Cambridge. In Marshall’s work to date, proposals for Cambridge East include the potential to develop a local centre, but also accommodate complementary (rather than competitive uses) which cannot fit within the City Centre but which would enhance the overall Cambridge experience and offer. Within the ‘First Proposals’ consultation document and supporting evidence base, there is strong support for the type and mix of uses that Marshall is proposing. Section 3 of Part 2 of the Strategy Topic Paper notes that Cambridge East can provide:
- “A mix of employment uses, including offices, workshops and other uses, providing a variety of opportunities to support not only Cambridge’s high technology clusters, but also industry and creative uses, including local jobs to provide for existing communities and help contribute to community integration.” (page 114, Strategy Topic Paper)
- “A new centre for retail, cultural and other uses that will serve the urban quarter and wider area whilst complementing and not competing with the historic City centre.” (page 115, Strategy Topic Paper)
- All necessary supporting community infrastructure including primary and secondary schools” (page 115, Strategy Topic Paper)

It also states that:
- “Land at Cambridge East has long been recognised as having significant potential to be a sustainable major new eastern quarter for Cambridge, that is well connected to the rest of the City, with a mix of homes and a range of jobs and services and supporting infrastructure” (page 118-119, Strategy Topic Paper)
- “At Cambridge East there will be an opportunity to provide a range of new employment space that meets the needs of our key sectors identified in the ELR, including office / R&D floorspace and space for businesses that would provide local job opportunities for residents previously employed at Marshalls, as part of a mixed- use development, to help contribute to community integration.” (page 86, Strategy Topic Paper)

Marshall is pleased that the GCSP recognise that there is opportunity at Cambridge East to provide a range of retail and leisure services and facilities to serve the Greater Cambridge population and looks forward to collaborating with the GCSP, local community and local stakeholders to flesh out the range, scale and mix of uses that Cambridge East can accommodate.