City redevelopment given go-ahead

An image of how one of the buildings may look

The first phase of an £820m scheme to transform Cambridge has been given the go-ahead by the city council.

Ashwell Property Group's regeneration is set to start later this year and the first stage to transform the Station Road site can now begin in July.

This includes work on a new cultural centre housing the county's archives, and accommodation for associated office workers will now begin in July.

As part of the redevelopment, the Mill Silo building will be converted.

With planning permission now in place, Ashwell Property Group can appoint contractors ahead of phase two of the development, which has been submitted to the council.

The centre is part of a major redevelopment scheme which is set to include a new shopping and housing complex around Cambridge railway station.

The plan is to site the centre on a former mill situated next to the station which is perhaps best known locally as Spillers Mill.

The large mill building was constructed in 1894 for the Foster family and was designed by Calder and Kitchen of Hull.

It is considered an important landmark building, as it is a rare industrial building in Cambridge.