Carter Jonas has achieved planning permission for a new hotel and apart-hotel to the north of Cambridge, on behalf of TLC Group. 

Working with CHMRP Architects and Allen Pyke Landscape Architects, Carter Jonas managed and submitted an application for a new six-storey mixed-use building comprising an 80 bed apart-hotel, 137 bed hotel, conferencing and co-working facilities, bar and café restaurant, gym and swimming pool. The proposal also included car and cycle parking, landscaped roof terraces, and improvements to the community-managed public open space to the south. 

The site is the last undeveloped parcel on Orchard Park, a new community to the north of Cambridge first allocated for development in 2001. The site is adjacent to the A14 and home to a population of reptiles. 

Our planning team led on early engagement through the pre-application process, three separate presentations to the Design Enabling Panel, and community consultation. After submission, Carter Jonas led on responses to consultees and negotiations on section 106 contributions and provision of biodiversity net gain. Thanks to this proactive approach, the six storey height (15m higher than allowed for in the Design Guide) and reduced level of car parking were considered acceptable by officers. 

South Cambridgeshire planning committee placed great weight on the support of urban design officers and the benefits the new facilities would provide to local residents, and approved the application.

Environmental, economic and social impact

• The development will provide over 100 full time equivalent jobs. 
• The co-working, conference, dining and gym facilities will all be open to local people. 
• The scheme includes improvements to the community-managed open space to the south. 
• The scheme will be BREEAM “Very Good”, with air source heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels. It goes above policy requirements on water efficiency. It provides an off-site biodiversity net gain.
• Green roofs and ecological enhancement measures are also provided on-site. 
• Reduced car parking is provided, encouraging guests and staff to cycle to the site with secure cycle stores, showers and changing rooms.