Have your say on proposed AgriTech park near Hinxton

Local people are being encouraged to have their say on plans for a new AgriTech park near Hinxton.

According to the recently-submitted planning application, the primary aim of the new facility would be to develop technologies which help farmers and the food chain improve their performance.

The development is proposed on land to the east of the A1301, south of the A505 near Hinxton and west of the A1301, north of the A505 near Whittlesford.

Their proposal seeks permission for a new bespoke technology park containing up to 112,000 square metres of employment space, and the planning application states it will create up to 4,000 new jobs.

The planned development is just over three times the size of nearby Babraham Research Park, which will be 33,000 square metres of employment space once a recently approved extension has been built.

South Cambridgeshire District Council has now launched a six week public consultation into SmithsonHill Limited’s plans.

The planning application includes plans to enhance access to Whittlesford Parkway station via a new foot, cycle and equestrian bridge over the A505 and a bus and cycle interchange, on land within the green belt.

Five hectares of public open space is proposed outside the park, with community access to forty three hectares of open space within the park itself.

The developers carried out their own public engagement before submitting the application.

Cllr Robert Turner, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “This is a significant proposal and it is important that local people share their views on it with us before we make a decision. Everyone’s comments are really important and will be taken into account.”

To view the plans and have your say, visit www.scambs.gov.uk/content/search-planning-application and use reference number S/4099/17/OL.

The consultation closes on Thursday 4 January.