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Government intervenes in Beehive Centre plans

Kate Moser Andon
BBC political reporter, Cambridgeshire
Reuters British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on a visit to Newquay Orchard in February, photo is a headshot where she is wearing a lime green coatReuters
Angela Rayner has decided to call in plans to redevelop a Cambridge shopping centre

The housing department has intervened in an application to redevelop a shopping centre, effectively overruling local planners.

Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and deputy prime minister, said a decision on the Beehive Centre in Cambridge should be called in.

In a letter sent to Cambridge City Council, the housing department said: "The application should be referred to her instead of being dealt with by the local planning authority."

The authority's planning committee met on Wednesday to consider proposals by Beehive Centre owners, Railpen, to demolish the existing shops to make way for offices, laboratories and community spaces.

Railpen An artist's impression of what the redeveloped Beehive Centre would look like. There are four and five-storey buildings, foliage, people socialising and cycling. Railpen
Railpen said the development would create 3,000 jobs and new community spaces

The city council had recommended planners refuse the proposals on the basis that they would block sunlight for the Beehive Centre's residential neighbours.

The shopping centre off Coldham's Lane is home to 17 retail units including a large Asda supermarket.

Railpen said its development would meet demand for workspace in Cambridge and create 3,000 jobs for local people.

According to the council, Railpen approached the housing secretary after the proposal for councillors to reject its plans put them into doubt.

A white, yellow and purple sign next to a brick building, which reads: "Welcome to the Beehive Centre."
The Beehive Centre is home to 17 retail units including shops, food outlets and a gym

After a decision is called in, it will be considered at a higher level by the Planning Inspectorate, with an inspector appointed to carry out a public inquiry into the proposal.

A letter, sent minutes before the planning meeting started, said the secretary of state wanted to be "particularly informed" about several matters, including the development's contribution to building a "strong, competitive economy" and achieving "well-designed places".

It also requested the secretary of state be informed about "any other matters" considered relevant by the inspector.

The Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government was approached for a comment.

A spokesperson for Railpen said: "We welcome the secretary of state's decision to call in our planning application to redevelop Beehive to create a high quality, highly sustainable campus that will support UK innovation and growth.

They added: "We ... will work with the secretary of state, the council and other stakeholders to move forward with the application."

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