Skip to content

Europe's oldest science park could be redeveloped

Janine MachinEast of England technology correspondent
News imageAllies and Morrison/Kin Creatives An artist's impression of the redesigned park. In the centre there is a small lake, bordered by grass, trees and flowers. There are benches where parents and children are reading and some are walking the lakeside paths. In the background are three large, individually designed, office and lab buildings.Allies and Morrison/Kin Creatives
New green spaces, open-air exhibits and cafes would be created under the plans

Cambridge Science Park said redevelopment plans could create 20,000 new jobs and facilities for the public.

More than 7,000 people currently work at the site on Milton Road - the oldest science park in Europe - developing technologies and medicines.

Under the submitted plans, new buildings and infrastructure would be built there, which was predicted to treble the park's economic output to £3bn a year.

Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity College Cambridge, which, along with leasehold partners, is funding the proposals, said a key aspect is "opening up the new Park of Science to the young people and families of Cambridge and the towns and villages around".

News imageAllies and Morrison/Kin Creatives An artist's impression of Cambridge business park from the air. It shows an area containing several dozen large office buildings and labs, with trees and green spaces among and around them. To the top right and bottom left of the image are areas of residential housing.Allies and Morrison/Kin Creatives
The new park would have 8 million square feet of buildings, but aims to retain green space and public areas

Founded in 1970 by Trinity College Cambridge, the park has been responsible for breakthroughs including cancer drugs, Bluetooth technology and mobile phone chips.

It has grown organically over the past 56 years, but it was hoped that the new plans would maximise the space.

In the proposals, the amount of built space would increase from 2.8 million to 8 million square feet. The college said it was determined to ensure that any growth "provides benefits and opportunities for everyone in Cambridge, Peterborough and surrounding towns and villages".

Aside from more jobs in areas such as construction, gardening, human resources and science, "benefits" would include "improved bus links, cycling routes, flood resilience, and biodiverse landscaping".

The site, which is already open to the public, would also feature outdoor exhibits, an open-air museum and strengthened links to the Cambridge Science Centre, which encourages participation in STEM subjects.

News imageAllies and Morrison/Kin Creatives An artist's impression of part of the future science park. There is a border of wildflowers and trees in the foreground, alongside a paved square with gazebos erected for pop up stalls and people milling around and sitting on benches. in the background, two large buildings featuring large glass windows, stand three storey high. Allies and Morrison/Kin Creatives
A masterplan for the redevelopment of Europe's oldest science park has been submitted for planning consideration

Rebecca Porter, CEO, Cambridge Science Centre, said: "We are incredibly excited by the opportunities that the continued growth of Cambridge Science Park presents.

"Since Trinity College supported our move to the park, we have transformed our scale, reaching over 30,000 people in 2025 alone - from our Cambridge centre to dedicated outreach with nearly 1,400 pupils in Wisbech.

"What makes this location so vital is its proximity to world-leading research, which cannot be replicated elsewhere. We aren't just interpreting science at a distance; we are translating real-time innovation into accessible experiences for families and schools."

The plan has been hailed as "a strong vote of confidence in the UK as a science and technology leader" by Roland Sinker, chair of innovation and growth at the University of Cambridge.

It will "create thousands of high-quality jobs, contribute billions to the national economy, and help ensure that the breakthroughs of the future are developed here in the UK," he added.

The application has been submitted to the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service. Its joint development management committee will consider the plans.

Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below.

Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.