Plans for sustainable neighbourhood that will deliver 120,000 sq ft of wellbeing-focused workspace and 70 Build-to-Rent homes set in a new public park have been approved by Cambridge City Council.
Devonshire Gardens is a new sustainable neighbourhood in the heart of Cambridge to be delivered by mixed-use developer Socius and Railpen, the investment manager for the £37bn railways pension schemes.
The scheme is designed by Buckley Gray Yeoman and will transform a three-acre site into a new neighbourhood comprising 120,000 sq ft of modern, wellbeing-focused workspace, 70 Build-to-Rent homes and community facilities, including a creche, pavilion and flexible studios, all set around a landscaped public park.
The new homes will comprise a mix of apartments, with 20% affordable in line with local policy.
Barry Jessup, Managing Director at Socius said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to deliver Devonshire Gardens, which sets a new benchmark for delivering highly sustainable places with workspace, new homes and community amenities.
“We have partnered with a long-term investor in Railpen who share our vision for a future-focused neighbourhood that will contribute to enhancing Cambridge’s status as a hub for world-class innovation and talent.”
The workspace will be delivered across two new buildings and provide a range of flexible floorplates and adaptable spaces for collaboration.
The buildings will be connected by a landscaped public park featuring over 120 trees, hundreds of new plant species and a community food garden. The scheme will also create new walkways and cycle paths.
Vic Annells, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are very pleased the scheme proposed by Socius and Railpen will be brought forward. Devonshire Gardens will transform an underutilised site in the centre of Cambridge, delivering much-needed modern workspace for corporates and growing businesses, as well as affordable homes that will help attract and retain talent in the city.”
Devonshire Gardens will be delivered in accordance with the One Planet Living principles and will increase biodiversity on the site by over 350%.
