The Grafton centre revamp will include a new public square surrounded by many shops, cafes and leisure facilities (Image: Real Estate Communications) Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest
BREAKING news and daily roundups More Newsletters Subscribe Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice A number of changes have been made this month to plans for the multi-million pound revamp of The Grafton centre in Cambridge. The proposals were first put forward by specialist science venture builder Pioneer Group in July 2023 with new drawings and revisions submitted in November. The plans will see a large area of the shopping centre converted into laboratory space for the city's life science and tech companies. The western end of the centre would also be renovated to provide an improved experience for local shoppers. The roof from part of the centre will be removed to create a new public square surrounded by shops and cafes. The cinema and gym by East Road will be kept, with a new hotel and multiple restaurants opening on a separate public square. Read more: New food park with cafe and bakery opens in converted barns Read more: Plans for 1,000 new homes and primary school on the edge of Huntingdon agreed A large part of the centre will be turned into a new science laboratory space (Image: Real Estate Communications) Many of the shops that are still open in the centre will remain once the revamp is complete. The new laboratory space will include labs and offices from a range of science companies, both big and small. Changes to The Grafton centre plans Following a consultation with the community and comments from residents, a number of amendments have since been made to the plans. This includes the creation of a new cycle route to ensure the separation between pedestrians and cyclists. The route below the residential units into the Central Square has been widened and cycle stands have been relocated across the site. Adjustments have also been made to the roof to prioritise long distance views and reduce any possible harm to the site's heritage. The plans stress that the design should attract higher-quality shops to the area as well. A design and access statement with the application said: "The proposals would make a major contribution towards addressing an acute demand and short supply of laboratories and offices within Cambridge. Addressing this shortage is recognised as a national priority. "The proposals would also consolidate the retail offering along Fitzroy Street and seek to ensure that the retained retail provision is higher quality and attracts higher quality occupiers to ensure its long-term success and viability. The proposed development would therefore support the long-term commercial function of Cambridge City Centre ." A decision on the application will now be made by Cambridge City Council . The plans can be viewed in full on the planning portal, using the reference 23/02685/FUL or clicking here . Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow CambridgeLive
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