Saunders are working on a masterplan for what will become one of the UK’s greenest and most sustainable, low carbon business villages. The 90,000 square foot development at Waterbeach in Cambridge is a former Ministry of Defence site that will become home to a highly sustainable neighbourhood with offices, a crèche, cafes, a gym and abundant landscaped space incorporating a running track and cycling routes. It will also link to the proposed Waterbeach new town and new rail station.

Three new buildings, two at three storeys high and one two storeys high will utilise the existing buildings to form a cohesive master plan with a landscaped park and water courses at its centre. All new buildings are naturally lit and ventilated and will be built to carbon neutral and possibly carbon negative standards utlising low carbon materials and initiatives.

The masterplan actively encourages sustainable modes of transport including cycling and walking to work; therefore car parking is limited with electric vehicles, public transport and cycle storage taking centre stage. The cycle storage and bus shelters are timber framed and all have sedum planted green roofs as part of the ecology and biodiversity contribution. Extensive easily accessible changing and shower facilities will be onsite for commuters wishing to shower and change before work.

‘This is not a business park as we know it but a specific lifestyle choice which fosters a positive work life balance where new businesses and start-ups can evolve, knowing their staff will benefit. We have worked extensively on ensuring sustainability standards are the highest possible and hope we can achieve low carbon buildings within this first phase of the development.‘ Martin Williams. Managing Director, Saunders

Saunders are working alongside Professor John French, one of the UK’s leading sustainability experts, to develop this ecologically sound business village. The new park will be aimed at attracting small, start-up pharmaceutical and tech businesses