Paragraph 9.15 highlights the precise issues with the development of the AAP site to meet the current and future demands of the R&D market who would potentially be looking to expand in Cambridge or relocate to Cambridge. Paragraph 9.15 advises that due to issues associated with availability of specific sites and demand for space at that time some of the development could take place beyond 2031. We would contend that at current take up rates Cambridge will run out of suitable, available and deliverable R&D floorspace within the next five years.
The employment uses listed include office and R&D developments but it is unclear if any market research has been undertaken to support these particular sectors listed. The R&D sector is diverse and extremely location sensitive. Is it clearly understood if those high value employment uses will want to locate to a site which is mixed use with waste and industrial uses close to some other uses in the sector but geographically divorced from others? The plan needs to be able to demonstrate that it can bring forward land rapidly to meet requirements for a full range of R&D uses in the immediate term and in the future.