This representation has been prepared by Strutt & Parker on behalf of NIAB Trust to support the promotion of Land north-east of Villa Road, Impington as part of the Greater Cambridge First Proposals Consultation 2021.
The site covers an area of approximately 2.19 hectares and is capable of delivering 4,100sqm of light industrial/research and development units including ancillary provisions such as car parking and landscaping. The site allocation would attract hightech firms to the area to compliment the established firms that are located within Vision Park and also NIAB’s crop research facilities at Park Farm. This would help to boost the local economy by attracting high-tech firms to the area and create job opportunities. It is also noted that this site could provide opportunities for lab space, which is in short supply in Cambridge.
In September 2021 Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service (GCSPS) published the Greater Cambridge HELAA, which provided an initial assessment of the sites put forward for allocation as part of the Call for Sites consultation within Greater Cambridge.
This representation provides a response to the ‘First Proposals’ Consultations. The representation has been structured to respond to relevant questions as set out within the First Proposals Consultation. In addition, a detailed assessment is provided in respect of the HELAA Assessment for the site.
The HELAA excludes the Villa Road site from allocation primarily on the basis of concerns relating to the impact on flood risk, landscape and townscape; site access; and strategic highway impact.
In response to the areas of concern, a feasibility study has been prepared which considers the potential development opportunities including scale, access, connectivity, flood relief and biodiversity improvements. A technical note on flood management has also been produced to respond to the concerns raised regarding flood risk. Further analysis of this is set out within section 7 of this report.
In support of this report, the following document have been prepared;
• Prospective Site Feasibility Study by pHp architects;
• Flood risk management note by Cannon Consulting Engineers

QUESTION: Are there any sites which you think should be developed for housing or business use, which we haven’t got on our map so far?
Yes, land north-east of Villa Road, Impington should be allocated for employment development and would represent a sound allocation as part of the emerging Local Plan as it complements the objectives of the Greater Cambridge economic growth strategy. The land off Villa Road site was promoted originally at Call for Sites and Issues & Options stages.
We acknowledge that the focus of the economic strategy is to support the development of the Biomedical Campus, however, the crop science and food production research sectors are an equally important and rapidly expanding part of the Greater Cambridge economy and should be supported as well.