Cambridge Grafton Centre to be partly converted into labs

An impression of what the Grafton Centre could look like in the future

A shopping centre is to be partly converted into new office and laboratory space, creating more than 2,000 jobs.

Cambridge City Council has approved the proposals for an "innovation hub" at the Grafton Centre.

Developers said retail was declining and the regeneration would help meet demand for new space for businesses.

Opponents had argued that the new development would be too tall and spoil views across the city.

The Grafton Centre opened in 1983 and was most recently refurbished in 2017.

Developers Pioneer Group argued the scheme was needed because of changing shopping habits.

They said more than 2,000 jobs would be created by providing in-demand laboratory space for start-up companies and small businesses.

They have also projected the changes will deliver an extra £111m into the city economy.

The proposals sketched here include keeping the cinema and gym by East Road

Nearby Abbeygate House and 11-12 Burleigh Street would also be demolished to make space for the centre to expand.

The proposal also included additional floorspace - requiring the existing building to be extended upwards.

Local residents were worried about the height of the new building and that it would 'dwarf' the surrounding area.

The current centre is about 20m at its highest point and would in future be more than 27m.

A new hotel will also form part of the re-development along with leisure facilities.

The existing space for a cinema at the site - added during an extension in 1995 - will also remain.

Councillors on the authority's planning committee approved the plans at a meeting.