Work begins on major science campus expansion

Work has begun to expand a science park to cover two and a half times its current area.

The Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton, on the southern edge of Cambridgeshire, is due to grow to about 440 acres (178 hectares), with new laboratories, homes and facilities for staff.

Several genomics companies are based there, which seek to understand how our DNA can impact health outcomes, often using machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).

Campus chief executive Robert Evans said it was exciting to see works begin, as the plans had been "years in the making". The first phase is due for completion in 2028.

Outline permission for the land next to the A1303 was granted by South Cambridgeshire District Council in 2020 and included two new research buildings and up to 1,500 homes.

"We want to build a campus that is open, collaborative, and connected to the local area, while continuing to play a global role in shaping the future of bioscience and technology," Evans said.

The first phase of building will include new laboratories, 83 homes for campus workers, two bridges and a localised energy system, the Wellcome Genome Campus said.

There will also be a new health and fitness club, food and drink venues, green spaces, padel courts and playground facilities, for the use of both staff and local people.

Once completed, the number of people working there could treble, from 3,000 to 9,000.

Multiple developers will work on the project. The first phase is being funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Organisations that currently make up the campus include the Wellcome Sanger Institute and EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute.

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