Massive research building planned for former Shepreth coachworks

The research building, if approved, would be built next to a train station

A massive technology and research building could be built in a village where only around 800 people live. GCR Camprop Fifteen Ltd (Camprop) is seeking to construct a building for “mid tech” use at 2 Barrington Road in Shepreth.

The building is proposed to be around 21,500 sqft and “provide flexibly commercially lettable space for ‘mid tech’ use”. The plans say it will be used for research and development, industrial processes, and warehouse and distribution.

The applicant said South Cambridgeshire District Council has identified a “significant need” for employment space in the area. The applicant said: “There is a clear need for the space proposed, and the application proposals will help to address this shortfall.”

The applicant added that the key objectives with the plans were to: maximise developable area within site constraints; integrate the project within its edge of village context; and encourage travel to and from the site by sustainable means.

The proposed site is located around five minutes from Shepreth railway station. The documents added that the development would be considered to be in a “suitable location”, being so close to a train station.

During a pre-consultation for the plans, the developers considered four options for the plans and option A1 was chosen. The applicant said: “This option explores the potential of locating a single, flexible building form on the southern half of the site, characterised by extensive areas of hard standing and the existing buildings of the coachworks.

“The primary frontages of the building face north to the entrance of the units and to the west, facing Barrington Road. The remainder of the site provides the necessary service access with car parking located in a landscaped area to the north. A dedicated turning head for service and emergency vehicles is provided to the east.”

The building’s design, if approved, is proposed to have a “shed or barn concept”. The applicant said this aims to “create a strong identity for the building within the wider village context while breaking down the overall mass”.

Parking is also proposed within the plans. These include 30 standard car park spaces and four accessible spaces. Forty cycle spaces across the site are also proposed. The applicants hope to have a space for street food vans in front of the building in the future.