Canmoor gets green light for Accelerator Park

Canmoor and Tristan Capital Partners have secured planning consent from South Cambridgeshire District Council for the second phase of development at Accelerator Park in Sawston.

Ventry Construction has been appointed as main contractor and works will start onsite imminently, with Practical Completion expected at the end of Q2 2025.

Phase 2 of Accelerator Park, formerly known as South Cambridge Business Park, will provide three GMP ready, R&D / life sciences buildings, totalling 86,000 sq ft, ranging from 20,000 to 35,000 sq ft. Designed by Hale Architects, the new, high-tech buildings will provide warehouse space with 10m eaves height, along with high percentage Cat A labs/offices on ground and first floors, with 136 car parking spaces and ample secure cycling spaces.

Sawston, the location of Accelerator Park, is becoming an increasingly established location for science and tech occupiers being situated in the heart of the South Cambridge biotech cluster, within two miles of Babraham Research Park, Granta Park and Unity Campus and five miles from Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Current occupiers at Accelerator Park Phase 1 include Echion Technologies and Pulpex.

The surrounding area is also undergoing rejuvenation with the recent construction of the new Cambridge City Football Stadium and training facilities, which will provide communal sports facilities, café and conferences facilities once fully operational in late summer 2024. In addition, Abstract’s South Cambridge Science Park is well underway on the adjoining site to Accelerator Park.

Accelerator Park is strategically located and provides excellent access to the wider motorway and A-road network being situated adjacent to the A505, providing immediate access to the M11, A11, A1(M) and A14.

With ESG high on the agenda, the development will target sustainability credentials including BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and an EPC A rating, with EV charging, PV panels, enhanced site-wide biodiversity, zero waste to landfill and a rich, landscaped environment for occupiers to enjoy. Community benefits also include an onsite café, expected to open in Q3 24, a private gym and regular food trucks, within Canmoor and Tristan’s ownership.

Sam Walker, Director of Canmoor, says: “We are delighted to have been given the green light to push forward with the development of three new Mid-tech units, to provide much needed space for GMP and R&D occupiers wanting to be in the heart of the South Cambridgeshire life science cluster.”

“Having purchased the wider site in July 2023, including Phase 1 of Accelerator Park, and Ashwell Point, we bolted on two additional vacant units in January 2024, totalling 20,000 sq ft located at the adjacent Dales Manor Estate. These additional units will be refurbished during Q2-Q3’24 having just received planning consent for E(g)(ii) use and will be available shortly. The overall site also offers further potential for development.”

Phase 1 of Accelerator Park comprises a modern campus of 13 highly specified units built in 2018/19, suitable for a variety of R&D and production uses. Echion Technologies now occupy five adjoining units whilst Pulpex, who manufacture sustainable pulp bottles, occupy the largest unit of 20,000 sq ft. Other occupiers in the ownership include Biocair and Cambridge University Hospital NHS.

DTRE and Bidwells have been appointed as joint letting agents on Accelerator Park Phase 2 and the other vacant units at Dales Manor.