Comment

Representation ID: 58646

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: Socius Development Limited on behalf of Railpen

Agent: Bidwells

Cambridge is very special place as epicentre of UK market for R&D which is key to success of UK economy. Cambridge needs more quality office buildings. Site within Cambridge Prime Central submarket. Submarket faces most severe supply pressures in Greater Cambridge with an available 0.31 years of office supply. Supply/demand imbalance is acute and getting worse. Whilst there is need for housing, council currently has 6.1-year supply. Grade A commercial floor area should be encouraged, incentivised and make best use of brownfield site. No constraints to development. Key question is what quantum can be accommodated. Allocation should not be prescriptive. Site specific matters will determine what impact arise, what harm, if any is adduced, and what benefits apply in the planning balance.