A major new science and technology park is on the verge of approval in Whittlesey, with Fenland District Council’s planning committee set to consider the application on November 19. The project, led by Saxon Works Ltd, is being recommended for approval by council officers, who cite its significant economic benefits—most notably, the creation of up to 1,660 full-time equivalent jobs.
Council officers have recommended that the planning committee grant approval, stating, “the material planning benefits of this proposal, in respect of securing employment, economic growth potential, biodiversity gains and effective re-use of land… are worthy of sufficient weight so as to outweigh this conflict with the development plan in this instance.”
However the planning committee will be told by officers “there is no planning definition or use class for a Science Park and therefore it would not be possible to impose any conditions or obligations for ‘science and technology’ use per se.
“Notwithstanding, the design and transport ambitions can be reasonably secured and monitored through planning condition, to ensure a high quality and sustainable development comes forward.
“The actual uses of the site will be determined by the tenants occupying the buildings but restricted to those set out in the description of the development and planning conditions”.
A jobs boost for Fenland
The headline benefit—and a key reason for the officer’s recommendation—is the sheer number of jobs expected to be created. According to the Fenland District Council’s Business and Economy Team, “This proposal is forecast to deliver: 1,660 Full-Time Equivalent jobs, £59 million per annum additional wages, [and] £126 million per annum GVA uplift for the UK economy.”
This jobs figure is not only a local milestone but also a regional one, with the council noting that the new park’s 62,269 square metres of gross floor area will “have a significant positive impact on the supply of commercial space available in the district and help enable economic growth.” The site is seen as a much-needed addition to the local economy, which currently faces a shortage of commercial employment land.
Transport and traffic: the main obstacle
Despite the economic promise, the project faces strong criticism over transport and traffic. The site, bordered by the A605 and near residential streets, is already known for congestion. The main vehicular access will be from a new arm off the Ralph Butcher Causeway roundabout, with additional pedestrian and cycle access points. Saxon Works Ltd proposes a “mobility hub” to encourage non-car travel, including cycle and scooter hire, car share information, and a shuttle bus to Peterborough station during peak times.
However, local, and regional transport authorities remain unconvinced. Cambridgeshire County Council Highways (CCC) warned, “the site would not achieve a 50% mode share. The applicant is proposing very little in the way of off-site mitigation that will enable and encourage employees to walk/cycle to the site.”
They added, “the modelling shows that in 2034 with 50% mode share the A605 eastern arm will experience queues of 80 metres and with 60% mode share the same arm will experience queues of around 110 metres. This is not acceptable and demonstrates that the proposed development will have a severe impact on the roundabout.”
Peterborough City Council Highways went further, recommending refusal: “The proposed development will result in increased vehicle trips through capacity constrained junctions and no appropriate mitigation measures are being proposed to offset the impact of the development on the network.
“It is considered that without adequate mitigation measures, the proposed development would have an unacceptable impact on highway safety and a severe residual cumulative impact on capacity.”
Active Travel England also deferred support, citing inadequate connections for walking and cycling, and a lack of commitment to improved bus services: “No effort has been made to improve the existing infrastructure from Peterborough which is currently not conducive to walking and cycling to the site. There is also no continuous cycle connection to Whittlesey.”
Town council and community views
Despite these concerns, Whittlesey Town Council recommended approval, stating simply: “No objection. Recommend approval.”
Local residents are divided. Supporters say the project will “rejuvenate/regenerate an area used for trailer storage” and “help drive development and infrastructure/opportunities within the local community.”
One supporter added, “Would like to see is a direct walking path/cycling route from the train station to the science parks away from the main roads.”
Objectors, however, raise issues about drainage, contamination, air quality, and the adequacy of transport planning.
The Saxongate Residents Group questioned, “Given the history of non-conforming waste and dumping in that area, realistically what can be put in place to reassure the public that there will be proper oversight and ongoing checks regarding contamination risks?”
Another resident noted, “No dedicated A605 cycle way and vehicles often block the narrow pavement to the bus stop.”
Environmental and infrastructure concerns
The Environment Agency and Anglian Water both raised objections regarding water supply and foul drainage, citing insufficient infrastructure capacity and potential environmental harm.
Anglian Water stated, “the site is located within the catchment of the Whittlesey Water Recycling Centre (WRC), which currently lacks the capacity to accommodate the additional flows that would be generated by the proposed development… planning permission [should be] refused on the grounds of insufficient infrastructure capacity and to prevent environmental harm.”
The council’s ecologist and Natural England, however, found that biodiversity net gain targets could be met, provided certain mitigation measures are secured.
Saxon Works Ltd: Ownership, Directors, and Financial Health
Saxon Works Ltd, the applicant behind the science park, is a private company limited by shares, incorporated in England and Wales (Company No. 10903955). Its registered office is at 20 Commerce Road, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 6LR. The company’s most recent unaudited financial statements, for the year ended 31 May 2024, were approved by director Mrs K A Reilly on 25 February 2025.
Ownership and directors
The company is owned by its shareholders, with the accounts signed by Mrs K A Reilly, who is listed as a director. The company’s share capital is modest, with only £100 in called up share capital, indicating a closely held ownership structure.
Financial Highlights (Year Ended 31 May 2024)
- Total assets less current liabilities: £10,001,426 (up from £9,054,227 the previous year)
- Net assets: £8,162,196 (up from £7,267,024)
- Profit for the year: £895,172 (previous year: £735,684)
- Investment property (fair value): £13,810,303 (up from £12,526,560)
- Tangible fixed assets: £1,726,145 (up from £1,518,036)
- Cash at bank and in hand: £351,504 (up from £278,763)
- Current liabilities: £7,630,148 (up from £6,577,777), including £6,837,725 owed to group undertakings
The planning officer’s report acknowledges the “unavoidable landscape harm” and “severe cumulative impacts” on the transport network but concludes that the economic and social benefits—especially the creation of 1,660 jobs—outweigh these negatives.
“The development would go towards addressing a known shortage of commercial employment land and would make effective use of currently underused, parcel of land… It would also enable significant employment potential which in turn would promote significant economic benefits for the district and likely beyond.”
Conclusion
The Whittlesey science park is poised to bring a transformative 1,660 jobs and new investment to the area, but not without cost.
Traffic congestion, infrastructure limitations, and environmental risks remain unresolved, and the community is split between hope for regeneration and fear of negative impacts.
As the planning committee prepares to make its decision on November 19, the effectiveness of promised mitigation measures—and the willingness of all stakeholders to collaborate—will determine whether this ambitious development delivers on its potential.
About Saxon Works Ltd: The company behind the project is financially robust, with substantial property assets and a record of profitability. Led by director Mrs K A Reilly, Saxon Works Ltd appears well-positioned to deliver the first phase of this landmark development.
All information and quotes sourced directly from the official planning report for F/YR24/0903/O and the unaudited financial statements of Saxon Works Ltd for the year ended 31 May 2024.
