New lab buildings approved for Cambridge

Cambridge City Council has granted outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the former National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) site on Huntingdon Road. The approval allows developer Vertex Living Limited to convert the previously residential-approved site into a new employment-led scheme featuring office and laboratory buildings.

The proposal includes the demolition of selected existing buildings, refurbishment of others, and construction of a new three-storey laboratory extension. The development marks a shift from earlier plans, which included 291 flats and a 202-bed aparthotel, to a scheme that will significantly increase the commercial floorspace available for Cambridge’s growing technology and life sciences sector.

The site has a historical legacy as an employment hub, and the approved plans aim to return it to that original function. In doing so, the development is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits to the local area, including job creation during the construction phase and ongoing employment opportunities once operational.

The project will also introduce improved infrastructure, including a new cycleway linking the site to surrounding areas and the provision of new car parking facilities. The outline approval enables the developer to proceed with more detailed design work, which will be subject to future planning approvals.

Concerns were previously raised by local residents regarding the scale of the proposed buildings, their impact on nearby heritage assets, and the potential effect on local sewage infrastructure. Anglian Water had requested a condition requiring confirmation of available capacity at the local water recycling centre.

However, council officers advised that such a condition was not warranted, citing a lack of specific evidence and the fallback position of the previously approved residential scheme.

Following additional time allowed to consider local feedback, the application was unanimously approved by councillors. Vertex Living will now proceed with developing the detailed design and addressing remaining concerns related to the site’s integration with the surrounding neighbourhood.

The NIAB site redevelopment represents a key opportunity to support Cambridge's innovation economy, aligning with ongoing efforts to accommodate growing demand for high-quality laboratory and office space in the city.