IQHQ’s proposals at Cambridge Science Park

IQHQ and Trinity College are pleased to launch a public consultation on proposals for a new gateway development at Cambridge Science Park.

You can learn more about our vision by reading the proposals below. Have your say by attending one of our public exhibitions and/or completing the dedicated survey.

A new gateway for science, research and innovation

IQHQ and Trinity College are working in partnership to bring forward proposals for a new gateway development and community facilities at Cambridge Science Park.

The proposals will create world-class research, laboratory and headquarters space alongside a welcoming arrival experience that reflects Cambridge’s global reputation for science and innovation, while enhancing public space, connectivity, biodiversity and community wellbeing across the Park.

Our plans will be submitted as a hybrid planning application split into two phases:

Phase One is a detailed application for a landmark gateway building delivering over 200,000 sqft of flexible research and workspace, together with an Active Travel Hub and multi-storey car park.

While Phase Two comprises an outline application for future development south of the First Public Drain, with an all new Trinity Wellness Centre fit with a gym, swimming pool and food & beverage space as well as new public spaces and two world HQ buildings totalling 400,000 sqft.

Cambridge Science Park is one of the UK’s oldest and most successful science parks, established by Trinity College in the 1970s and home to a globally recognised cluster of science, research and technology organisations. The Gateway Site sits at a key arrival point to Cambridge Science Park, connecting Milton Road, the Guided Busway and the heart of the campus.

The site currently contains buildings that are reaching the end of their operational life the majority of which are unoccupied. Constructed in the 1980s, they were designed for a very different era of workspace standards and environmental performance. A recent inspection confirms that most of the existing buildings on site are in a state of disrepair and would not offer long-term viability or sustainable performance in their current form, presenting an opportunity for sensitive renewal that supports the future of the Park.

IQHQ specialises in long-term ownership and stewardship, with a focus on future-ready research space, high-quality design and sustainability embedded from the outset.

IQHQ's other projects

IQHQ team members have extensive experience, having delivered a range of major life sciences developments, including the sizeable local projects at Granta Park and at the Babraham Research Campus. Most recently, they completed the 1.7 million sqft RaDD district in San Diego, which has transformed San Diego’s waterfront.

These transformative projects provide flexible, lab-enabled buildings designed to support collaboration, wellbeing and long-term growth for world-leading science organisations.

Trinity College is the founding landowner and long-term steward of Cambridge Science Park. For more than 50 years, Trinity has played a central role in shaping the Park as a place for scientific discovery, innovation and enterprise, supporting Cambridge’s position as a world-leading centre for research.

At Cambridge Science Park, IQHQ and Trinity College are working in close partnership with an experienced team of architects, planners and technical consultants to bring forward proposals that are carefully considered, sustainable and aligned with the long-term vision for the Park.

We are proposing a high-quality, sustainable redevelopment that will:

Deliver 600,000 sqft of flexible, world-class research space across three buildings

Integrated landscape-led design, enhancing nature and biodiversity across the site

Provide new public spaces including Gateway Square and green routes for everyday use

Improve walking, cycling and site-wide connectivity

Deliver a new Trinity Wellness Centre providing accessible wellbeing and community-focused facilities

Create a landmark gateway and arrival to Cambridge Science Park

The buildings will feature world-class research facilities

Delivering New Research and Workspace

The proposals include over 600,000 sqft of flexible, future-ready research and workspace, across three buildings, designed to support companies at different stages of growth, from scaling SMEs to established science-led organisations.

The aim is to strengthen Cambridge’s innovation status in the world, complementing existing facilities nearby and providing space that supports long-term growth within the Science Park.

Indicative sketch of the new site

A New Gateway to Cambridge Science Park

The proposals focus on creating a clear and welcoming entrance to the Science Park from Milton Road and the Guided Busway.

High-quality public spaces, improved walking and cycling routes and a strong sense of place will help create an arrival experience that works for neighbours, visitors and park users alike. The scheme is designed to be open, permeable and accessible, inviting people into, around and through the site.

Indicative sketch of the First Public Drain

Landscape-led and Sustainable Approach

Landscape is central to the proposals, shaping how the site is used, experienced and connected. Enhancements to the First Public Drain, new parkland links, retained and reinforced tree cover and publicly accessible green routes will create a connected network of open spaces.

These ground-level spaces are complemented by green roofs, landscaped terraces and enhanced tree planting, supporting biodiversity, managing water sustainably and improving wellbeing for people who work at, visit or live near the Science Park.

The Trinity Wellness Centre will include a swimming pool

Supporting Health, Wellbeing and Community Use

As part of the outline proposals south of the First Public Drain, the existing Trinity Centre would be replaced with a new Trinity Wellness Centre.

The new facility is intended to provide modern, publicly accessible wellbeing and community-focused amenities, which could include a gym, swimming pool and food & beverage offer, alongside flexible commercial space. These uses are designed to support everyday health, recreation and social interaction for Science Park occupiers and the wider community.

By introducing enhanced leisure and social spaces, the proposals help ensure the Science Park continues to evolve not only as a place of employment, but as a meeting point for the local community.

The plans also ensure the continued presence of the Cambridge Science Centre as a meeting-point between science and the local community at the Park.

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A Thoughtfully Designed Environment

The buildings are designed to be high-quality, contemporary research environments that reflect the importance of Cambridge Science Park as a global centre for science and innovation.

The proposed scale, massing and layout respond to the site’s gateway role while being carefully shaped by the surrounding context, existing buildings and landscape. Active ground floors, clear entrances and well-defined public spaces will help create a welcoming and easy-to-navigate environment at street level.

You can learn more about the proposals by attending one of our public exhibitions:

Members of the project team will be available throughout the events to explain the proposals and answer the questions.

Public Exhibition 1

Public Exhibition 2

Consultation Survey

You can also share your views by completing our online consultation survey, which will be available until Friday 20th March. Feedback received will help inform the next stage of the proposals as they continue to evolve.