Redevelopment of Merlin Place

Carter Jonas has successfully secured full planning permission on behalf of Kadans Science Partner 9 UK Ltd for the development of a new, purpose-built laboratory and office building at Merlin Place, Cambridge, a new gateway building for the Cambridge North Cluster.

The site, which was the former headquarters of law firm Taylor Vinters (now part of Mishcon de Reya) prior to its sale in 2023, sits in a prominent location on the approach into Cambridge from the north. The striking scheme, designed by architects HOK, will deliver a six-storey 12,900sqm/139,000sft building and provide high quality flexible laboratory and office floorspace, (within use class E(g)-ii) and a ground level café space. Consent was awarded on 12 July 2024.

Carter Jonas has advised the client from the inception of the project, leading a multi-disciplinary consultant team through the planning process and will continue to advise on all planning matters through to completion.

During the course of the project, Carter Jonas led on strategy to overcome concerns regarding the scale and massing of the proposal, which represents a significant increase in volume over the previous building on site. Carter Jonas also played a pivotal role in emphasising the economic benefits of the proposal, to be weighed in arriving at an overall planning balance, and on an appropriate set of planning conditions and Section 106 Agreement obligations.

In achieving planning success, Carter Jonas worked alongside HoK, PSK, CB3, Hoare Lea, aktII, WSP, Harrison Stevens, Ecology By Design, Land & Landscape Management, Sweco and Commission Projects. We also worked closely with Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, and Cambridgeshire County Council, including liaison with the Cambridgeshire Quality Panel.

Construction commenced on site in summer 2024, with the scheme anticipated to complete in late 2026. Carter Jonas will be providing town planning project management and general consultancy support throughout the construction phase, including managing the discharge of conditions process and liaison with the Local Planning Authority.