Cambridge Biomedical Council Vision 2050

Cambridge University Health Partners

Metro Dynamics offered support through a series of projects with the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, building from an initial scoping study for a potential CBC vision, to developing a Vision 2050 for the campus as well as leading the subsequent work to begin realising the vision. This included extensive advice on their governance model and legal arrangements, as well as input into and direction for representations to the local planning process. As of Autumn 2021, CBC had been selected as the only location in Greater Cambridge earmarked for an exceptional release of greenbelt land to support further campus development and growth.

We led and managed a team that comprised of 9 expert advisory firms to develop the CBC Vision 2050 into an outward-facing document that describes the ambition of the campus to become an innovation district and life sciences quarter for Cambridge. In addition to drafting the Vision 2050 itself, a dedicated team produced an economic analysis report that assessed the economic significance of the CBC and its role in the wider Cambridge innovation ecosystem; we also completed a community mapping exercise to identify political and community stakeholders for further engagement. The technical studies and appendices that underpin that vision were designed to ensure that the Vision 2050 is deliverable and feasible, offering the best quality development for the campus, its stakeholders and its community. Having developed the Vision 2050, we worked with stakeholders and legal advisors to facilitate and negotiate the establishment of a new company limited by guarantee that would convene and represent the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

We then developed further technical work with adjacent landowners to develop and manage a series of studies and legal arrangements that would support submissions to the Greater Cambridge Local Planning Authority on behalf of the campus’s future development. The first evidence to support the release of greenbelt land for CBC expansion was submitted to the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning service in April 2021. We developed an enhanced needs case assessment to further convince the LPA: directly addressing concerns related to the scale of development, the necessary mix of development uses, and the character of campus development. We addressed these concerns via a real estate-informed, economic and practical argument for further development at CBC.

We also managed community and political engagement on behalf of the campus, alongside communications experts Counter Context, while also supporting the coordination and improvement of on-site services and amenity in order to promote placemaking and further develop the investable proposition.