A new 50,000 square metre research and development centre in South Cambridgeshire received the green light from Councillors.
Councillors resolved to approve the new facility for Huawei at Sawston at the District Council’s Planning Committee today (Thursday 25 June) after the planning application was assessed against national planning guidelines and local planning policies.
The plans include around 50,000 square metres of research and development space including approximately 9,500 square metres of office space. Research and development in the field of photonics – which involves the use of lasers, optics, fibre-optics and electro-optical devices across a range of technologies such as data communications – will be carried out at the new facility.
The site sits between Whittlesford Road and the Cambridge to Liverpool Street railway line with the A1301 beyond.
Around 400 jobs are to be created on the former Spicer’s site, which is on the Sawston bypass.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, said: “There has been a lot of wider comment on this proposal but when we determine planning applications, we can only take into account what are called material planning considerations when coming to a decision. These include national and local planning policies and the consideration of issues such as how the building fits into its surroundings and impacts on local roads. Whether the applicant is a small, local sole trader or a large multi-national company, we must follow these same rules. To the planning system, it does not matter who the applicant is. Having spent over 12 months working with the applicants and their technical team on this proposal, the Council concluded that against these requirements, the planning application should be approved.”
At least 10% of the emissions from the development will be offset by renewable or low-carbon energy sources. Solar panels will generate electricity for the building while heating and hot water would be provided by renewable and re-use means.
Sawston and Whittlesford Parish Councils both supported the application while Stapleford Parish Council had no objection to it.
The Planning Committee’s decision is subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning agreement. This is commonplace and always happens after the Committee resolves to approve an application – with the issue of the final planning permission taking place once that Section 106 agreement is finalised.
Photos: Copyright Huawei Technologies UK
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