Mayor visited South Cambridgeshire's
renowned life science and technology hub, to hear first-hand
about their plans for growth.
Wellcome Genome Campus invited the Mayor and Combined Authority
officers to tour the site and see progress on its expansion, with
its first phase set to be complete in 2028.
Famous for genomic research and biodata innovation, the campus is
a global destination for scientific research, innovation-driven
companies and world-class talent. As it grows, the Campus will
build on its capabilities across omics, bio data, health data,
data science, AI-driven biology and autonomous science, to
attract more talent and companies, while driving growth across
the region. This ambition aligns with the Combined Authority's
Local Growth Plan.
Over the next decade, the campus will expand from 125 to 440
acres, with its workforce expected to grow from around 3,000 to
9,000 employees.
The campus also outlined plans to build 1,500 homes for campus
workers on its land, alongside a health and fitness club, sports
pitches, a school, nursery and other community uses and a range
of food and drink venues, alongside new public spaces, new
bridges and energy infrastructure. These plans will support a
growing ecosystem and transform the campus into a welcoming and
vibrant destination for everyone.
During the visit, Wellcome Genome Campus highlighted barriers to
growth, including limited transport options. The campus currently
uses shuttle buses and coaches to bring employees from nearby
railway stations and towns but is seeking longer-term transport
solutions. Campus leaders are calling for early delivery of mass
rapid transit (MRT) to the southern cluster' of science
destinations. In the meantime, the Campus is pursuing its own
autonomous vehicle link between the Campus and Whittlesford
Parkway railway station.
Active travel routes are also a priority and a central part of
the campus's plans. With prospects to open the campus up
entirely, making it a destination for all residents across the
county.
The Mayor and colleagues were transported to their expansion
site, to see the progress of the first phase, which will see the
arrival of the first lab-enabled workspace, called The Sequence,
as well as the health and fitness club, the first 84 homes, two
bridges to connect the growing Campus, an Energy Farm and other
infrastructure.
Speaking at the site, said: "Wellcome
Genome Campus positions itself as the global home for biological
intelligence through innovative world-changing science and
technology.
"The Wellcome Genome Campus makes a huge contribution to our
region's reputation for world-leading life sciences. This campus
expansion will provide new jobs, homes and facilities for the
local community, but it's clear that more support is needed from
public authorities to help solve their transport challenges. I am
committed to working with the Campus and other partners to
deliver that.
"What Wellcome Genome Campus is doing here is remarkable. This
expanding campus will play a significant role in my plan to
deliver economic growth, making us healthier, wealthier and
happier. I look forward to following their progress over the
coming months."
Chief Executive at Wellcome Genome Campus,
said: "It was a
pleasure to welcome Mayor and colleagues from the
Combined Authority to the Wellcome Genome Campus and bring to
life our plans for the next chapter, now work on our expansion is
well underway.
Our plans represent one of the largest investments in life
sciences and technology infrastructure in Europe, and will help
attract more talent, companies and investment to our region.
Ensuring people can easily and conveniently access the Campus is
critical to our success. We're delighted to have the Mayor's
support in addressing the transport challenges our Campus and
others in the southern cluster' of leading science locations,
currently face.
Transport improvements cannot come soon enough, to drive
scientific collaboration and innovation, continued investment and
the delivery of the good growth we all want."
