CB1, Cambridge for Brookgate with Robert Myers Associates and RSHP

The 9.9-hectare site around Cambridge Railway Station was redeveloped with a masterplan by Richard Rogers and RMA, emphasising green streets, public spaces and improved pedestrian and cycling connectivity. Historic structures like the mill and silo were preserved, and construction artefacts were repurposed. A cycle park, the UK’s largest with nearly 3,000 spaces, promotes cycling culture. £30.1 million was spent on station upgrades, highways, public spaces and community engagement initiatives.

Who is on the project team? (designer, consultants, etc)

CB1

Cambridge for Brookgate 

Formation Architects

Perkins &

Grimshaw Architects

TP Bennett

Pollard Thomas Edwards

Chetwoods Architects

Wates

Galliford Try

RG Carter

Hill Residential

Downing Construction

Weston Homes

Describe the context of this project and its neighbourhood and the community it serves?

The CB1 development is a major transformation of a 9.9-hectare site surrounding Cambridge Railway Station. Before redevelopment, the area was dominated by chaotic surface parking, limited pedestrian infrastructure, and a lack of green space. The site served mainly station users, office workers, and a few local residents. The project has redefined the area, making it a more integrated and sustainable space for station users, local residents, re-housed office workers, and new residents, including students and employees. Guided by the original masterplan developed with Lord Rogers and RMA, Public Realm and Landscape Strategy (2010), the development introduces green streets, vibrant public spaces, and enhanced pedestrian and cycle connectivity. The historic Mill and Silo have been preserved, and artefacts discovered during construction, such as crane parts, have been integrated into public spaces, adding character and cultural depth. In addition to physical changes, the CB1 project has brought significant community benefits. The inclusion of art programs, featuring artists in residence and community engagement initiatives, has ensured that local residents are involved in the project from the beginning. The development aims to serve as a model of sustainability and resilience, providing essential community amenities and a vibrant urban environment for years to come.

Tell us what you did and how it was designed and delivered.

As landscape architects for the whole project, we focused on creating a welcoming and sustainable environment that promotes walking, cycling, and social interaction. Our Public Realm and Landscape Strategy (2010) established a cohesive design code to guide the development, ensuring consistency across all phases. The project also addressed local transport challenges by improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, with green streets and spaces that have enhanced the site’s ecological value. Incorporating cutting-edge sustainable technologies, the buildings are all BREEAM Excellent-rated, with the 10SR building achieving Outstanding. The project also adhered to the Code for Sustainable Homes, incorporating water-saving devices, sustainable heating systems, and renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic panels. The area’s ecological footprint was reduced through initiatives like tree planting, green roofs, and bird and bat boxes, with a development-wide Ecological Conservation Management Plan and water management strategies in place. The governance of the project involved a joint venture between Network Rail and Brookgate, with extensive stakeholder consultation. Local residents, the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, and disability forums were integral to the planning process. The City Council’s Design and Conservation Panel provided oversight for each phase to ensure the development met the city’s design and environmental standards.

What is the social and environmental impact of the project?

The CB1 development has made a profound social and environmental impact, transforming a once chaotic and car-dominated space into a pedestrian-friendly, green urban hub. New public spaces like Station Square and the linear park along Station Road offer a mix of seating, greenery, and water features, encouraging social interaction and community engagement. The cycle park, with space for nearly 3,000 bikes, is the largest of its kind in the UK and supports the city’s cycling culture. Environmentally, the project has introduced sustainable transport options, reducing car dependency, and contributing to improved air quality. The development’s air quality monitoring, implemented through Section 106 planning obligations, measured no exceedances in pollutants between 2011 and 2021. Significantly more trees have been planted than removed, and the surface water from the development is carefully managed through attenuation strategies, ensuring that the area’s drainage systems remain effective and sustainable. The CB1 project has also provided greater biodiversity through its green infrastructure, such as green and brown roofs and significant new green spaces and has supported a wide variety of species with its bird and bat boxes. These efforts contribute to Cambridge’s overall ecological health, offering both green spaces for relaxation and habitats for wildlife.