Cambridge Science Park expansion to create 20,000 jobs, public spaces

Cambridge Science Park announced redevelopment plans that could create 20,000 new jobs and provide public facilities, according to a proposal submitted to local planning authorities.

More than 7,000 people currently work at the site on Milton Road, Europe’s oldest science park, developing technologies and medicines.

Under the submitted plans, new buildings and infrastructure would be constructed, projected to triple the park’s economic output to £3 billion annually.

Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity College Cambridge, which is funding the proposals alongside leasehold partners, said a key aspect is “opening up the new Park of Science to the young people and families of Cambridge and the towns and villages around.”

Founded in 1970 by Trinity College Cambridge, the park has produced breakthroughs including cancer drugs, Bluetooth technology, and mobile phone chips.

It has grown organically over the past 56 years, but the new plans aim to maximize the available space.

The proposals would increase built space from 2.8 million to 8 million square feet. The college said it is determined to ensure growth “provides benefits and opportunities for everyone in Cambridge, Peterborough and surrounding towns and villages.”

Beyond new jobs in construction, gardening, human resources, and science, benefits include “improved bus links, cycling routes, flood resilience, and biodiverse landscaping.”

The site, already open to the public, would also feature outdoor exhibits, an open-air museum, and strengthened links to the Cambridge Science Centre, which encourages participation in STEM subjects.

Rebecca Porter, CEO of Cambridge Science Centre, said: “We are incredibly excited by the opportunities that the continued growth of Cambridge Science Park presents.”

“Since Trinity College supported our move to the park, we have transformed our scale, reaching over 30,000 people in 2025 alone – from our Cambridge centre to dedicated outreach with nearly 1,400 pupils in Wisbech.”

“What makes this location so vital is its proximity to world-leading research, which cannot be replicated elsewhere. We aren’t just interpreting science at a distance; we are translating real-time innovation into accessible experiences for families and schools.”

Roland Sinker, chair of innovation and growth at the University of Cambridge, hailed the plan as “a strong vote of confidence in the UK as a science and technology leader.”

It will “create thousands of high-quality jobs, contribute billions to the national economy, and help ensure that the breakthroughs of the future are developed here in the UK,” he added.

The application has been submitted to the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, and its joint development management committee will consider the plans.

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