Phase 2 – Discovery Drive

The Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) Phase 2 land was allocated for clinical development and research uses in the 2006 Cambridge Local Plan (site 9.09). In 2016, an application for Phase 2’s first tenants, Abcam, for a new £25m building was also approved. This building, located at the western end of Discovery Drive, opened in 2019.

In January 2021 the Joint planning committee (JDCC) also approved the Phase 2 application submitted on behalf of Prologis for the building known as 1000 Discovery Drive.

Cambridge University Hospital Foundation Trust has confirmed that it will be using 23,000 sq. ft. of laboratory and office space at 1000 Discovery Drive, which recently achieved practical completion, to house an ultra-modern histopathology unit. This will provide diagnostic pathology services, supporting clinical trials and biotechnological research into many diseases. For example, cancer, neurological conditions, transplantation, metabolic disease and inflammatory conditions. The unit will benefit NHS patients from Cambridge and across the East of England, including those receiving treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. This enables NHS services to co-locate with academic and industry partners.

The total Phase 2 floor area available for development is 807,000 sq ft (75,000 sq m). This, comprises 636,000 sq ft (59,000 sq m) of commercial floor space, including Abcam, and 171,000 sf ft (15,900 sq m) of clinical floor space.

Last updated: 3/07/2024

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