One of the key roles of the Estates Division is the development of the University’s estate. The teams manage all aspects of new developments from initial concept and planning applications through to project managing the delivery and construction phases.
The University has over 370 buildings that form its operational estate, which are used for teaching, research and their support or administrative functions.
The University’s non-operational property portfolio includes residential buildings, as well as offices and other commercial properties and leisure and retail properties, sports facilities, infrastructure, including roads and car parks and forestry and agricultural land.
Reshaping our Estate aims to create a smaller but improved University of Cambridge estate that is more efficient, more effective, more environmentally sustainable and fit-for-purpose. to and better support the University’s academic mission, reduce long term annual costs and support the drive for zero carbon emissions.
Property Group
The University of Cambridge is a global leader in innovation, supported by world-class real estate developments, designed to drive collaboration, sustainability, co-location with industry and economic growth including the Cambridge West Innovation District and Eddington.
The Property Group in the Estates Division manages the University’s estate to deliver a strong financial return and support innovation by providing spaces for academic and commercial partnerships, as well as housing that meets the needs of the University.
The team advises on all property matters including the valuation, purchase, leasing and disposal of all properties on the University’s estate.
The University’s management of its property portfolio is overseen by the Property Board.
Planning
The Planning team provides an in-house town planning service for the University on both operational and non-operational development. This includes the provision on planning advice at feasibility and design development stages, the preparation and submission of planning applications and engagement with the local planning authorities to secure planning policies and proposals that support the development of our estate. The team also collaborates with partners to promote strategic development opportunities, engages with transport authorities to shape transport strategies, and with transport service and infrastructure providers on transport projects.
| Current planning documents |
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| Temporary building on the Forvie site |
| Key Cambridge West planning documents |
Programme Delivery
All building projects, whether new-build or refurbishment schemes, are undertaken on behalf of the University by the Programme Delivery team.
The team is comprised of project leaders covering the operational estate and non-operational estate, supported by the Programme Management Office (PMO).
All our construction projects are expected to contribute towards the delivery of our carbon reduction target. Projects are expected to identify opportunities to achieve exemplary levels of energy efficiency, heat decarbonisation and renewable energy generation.
