Welcome to the consultation website on proposals for the South Cambridge Science Centre at Dales Manor Industrial Estate, Sawston

Consultation open until: 23 May 2026

We are seeking your views on exciting proposals that will create jobs, support innovation and deliver a sustainable, vibrant destination for Cambridge.

South Cambridge Science Centre, Sawston

The vision is to create a state-of-the-art destination for life sciences, delivering new jobs, economic growth and a greener, more attractive environment for Sawston.

The proposals include approximately state of the art laboratory and research space across four purpose-designed buildings, creating new jobs at the heart of the south Cambridge life sciences cluster.

The design has been developed collaboratively with South Cambridgeshire District Council and refined in response to planning feedback.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation and shared feedback on the proposals. The project team is now reviewing responses as the design continues to evolve. Further updates will be shared in due course.

A well-connected location at the heart of the south Cambridge life sciences cluster

The site is located within the Dales Manor Industrial Estate in Sawston and is currently characterised by large areas of hardstanding, traditional warehouse buildings and car-dominated roads, with limited planting or pedestrian infrastructure.

Sawston sits at the heart of the south Cambridge life sciences cluster, alongside Granta Park, Babraham Research Park, Unity Campus and the Biomedical Campus at Addenbrooke’s, making it a highly sustainable and well-connected location for employment growth.

Diagram showing site's connectivity to Cambridge life sciences cluster

Transforming this location into a science campus has already begun, with Abstract Mid Tech Ltd and Manor Property SARL’s research and development units on site. The proposals build on the transformation underway and represent the next phase in the site’s evolution.

Strategic location

At the heart of the South Cambridge life sciences cluster

Well connected

Close to public transport links and key routes to Cambridge

Sustainable access

Opportunities to walk, cycle and use low carbon transport

Future focused

Supporting sustainable growth and long-term investment

The Team

Sawston Farms (Cambs) Limited

Sawston Farms (Cambs) Limited was incorporated in July 1957 to own and develop land at Dales Manor for use by William Sindall Limited and other tenants. Sawston Farms is owned by The Three Horse Field Group Limited, a privately owned investment, trading and development company with activities spanning the property, agriculture and hospitality sectors.

Owers Warwick Architects

Owers Warwick Architects is an award-winning RIBA Chartered Practice based in Cambridge. They are experts at designing and delivering high-quality commercial and life-science buildings and are skilled at making enjoyable, healthy and sustainable places for the building users and the local community.

Our Vision

A high-quality science campus supporting businesses of all sizes

One of the most significant investments in Sawston’s economy in a generation

A greener, more attractive site with extensive landscaping and biodiversity

A flexible, future-focused design responding to the needs of the life sciences sector

A well-connected and accessible campus for walking, cycling and vehicles

A development shaped through engagement with the local community

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback during the consultation period. All comments received are now being reviewed by the project team.

01 Jobs and Economic Growth

The South Cambridge Science Centre will be one of the most significant economic investments in Sawston in a generation.

The development will create new jobs, supporting businesses within the south Cambridge life sciences cluster alongside Granta Park, Babraham Research Park, Unity Campus and the Biomedical Campus at Addenbrookes.

Staff based on site will support the local economy by shopping, eating and spending in Sawston town centre.

The proposals build on the success of the completed Abstract building and Manor Property SARL’s research and development units on site, which have already demonstrated the ambition and quality of the transformation underway at Dales Manor.

02 Traffic, Parking and Access

We know that traffic and parking are important considerations for local residents, and the design has been developed with this in mind. Car parking is consolidated into a single multi-storey facility, helping to keep vehicles away from surrounding streets and residential areas.

The campus prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, with clearly separated routes throughout the site.

A detailed transport assessment will be submitted as part of the planning application.

03 A Greener, More Sustainable Design

Today, the site is dominated by hardstanding, warehouses and car-led roads with little planting or footpath provision.

The South Cambridge Science Centre will transform this into a greener, more sustainable environment.

Green roofs, landscaped walls and extensive planting will improve biodiversity and the appearance of the site. New landscaped spaces will create places to walk, cycle, rest and spend time.

The design responds to the evolving needs of the life sciences sector, with four buildings of varying sizes allowing flexibility for businesses ranging from start-ups to established companies.

04 An Appropriate Development

The proposals are supported by planning policy and have been developed in close engagement with South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The site has been identified as suitable for employment uses within the emerging Local Plan, and the council has confirmed its support for the principle of redevelopment into a life sciences campus.

This is currently an outline proposal, and detailed design, materials and appearance will be subject to further consultation and planning approval.

05 A Considerate Neighbour

The design has been revised following pre-application feedback to address concerns around scale, massing and impact on nearby homes.

Buildings have been set back from neighbouring properties, with the multi-storey car park moved 25 metres from the residential boundary.

A new landscaped buffer of over 20 metres will help soften views and maintain privacy, while breaking the development into four buildings reduces the overall sense of scale.

Have your say

We are committed to engaging openly with local residents, businesses and stakeholders throughout the planning process.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation and shared feedback on the proposals prior to the submission of a planning application.

The consultation survey has now closed and the project team is reviewing all feedback received as the proposals continue to evolve.

Further updates will be shared via the project website in due course.