The South Cambridge Science Centre is located in Sawston, a village in South Cambridgeshire roughly 6 miles south of Cambridge city centre.

The science centre sits on the Dales Manor Business Park off Babraham Road (postcode CB22 3TJ) on the northern edge of Sawston.

This places the South Cambridge Science Centre in the heart of Cambridge's thriving life science cluster, close to other research hubs like Babraham Research Campus, Granta Park, and Unity Campus.

The strategic location means tenants are within Cambridge's broader biotech ecosystem while still only a short drive from Cambridge city centre and its amenities.

The South Cambridge Science Centre is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art research and development hub boasting cutting-edge facilities and design. It offers best-in-class laboratory infrastructure – the building contains flexible wet and dry labs that can support a wide range of scientific uses from microbiology and PCR labs to chemistry, flow cytometry, viral vector work, and GMP production.

The labs are engineered to high technical specifications, including stringent vibration control (VC-A standard minimum, with some areas designed to VC-E) to accommodate sensitive equipment like NMR instruments.

In addition, the centre provides modern collaboration and office spaces (with amenities such as meeting rooms, a café/coffee bar, and landscaped outdoor areas) all built to the highest sustainability and energy efficiency standards.

These features ensure the science centre delivers a cutting-edge environment for innovation, meeting or exceeding current lab design benchmarks.

Yes. The South Cambridge Science Centre is designed to support companies of all sizes, from established firms to young start-ups. In fact, the centre explicitly markets itself as "the perfect place to take your research to the next level" whether you're an established company or a young start-up.

The facility's layout is highly flexible, allowing labs and offices to be configured or subdivided down to 5,000 sq ft to suit smaller teams and growing ventures.

This means early-stage life science companies can rent only the space they need and expand within the centre as they grow, all while benefiting from the shared amenities and collaborative community on site.

The minimum leasable space in the South Cambridge Science Centre is approximately 5,000 sq ft. The development is offered as flexible units ranging from around 5,000 sq ft up to the entire 138,484 sq ft (GIA) building, depending on an occupier's needs.

In practice, this means the building can be multi-let: a smaller company could take roughly 5,000 sq ft (a portion of one floor) while larger tenants could occupy multiple floors or even the whole facility. This subdivision approach allows a variety of occupiers to find a suitable-sized space within the science park.

Phase 1 comprising the first building of 138,484 sq ft (GIA) lab and office space is scheduled to complete in April 2025 enabling tenant fit-out to occur subsequently.

This April completion date means that tenants can begin occupying the brand-new laboratories and offices around that time, aligning with the centre's timeline to start supporting research companies in spring 2025.

The South Cambridge Science Centre distinguishes itself by offering high-spec lab space at significantly lower cost than other new developments in Cambridge. The project's developers acquired the land at a low price and focused on cost-efficient design, allowing them to charge rents roughly 30% lower than competing life science schemes while still delivering top-quality facilities.

In fact, the South Cambridge Science Centre is marketed as the "lowest cost new lab space in Cambridge", providing "best in class" labs and offices that are up to 30% less expensive than rival offerings.

Additionally, the building's design gives tenants more value for money – about 40% more space at no additional cost compared to other leading Cambridge sites – and incorporates energy-saving features that keep running costs down for occupiers.

This combination of lower rent, efficient use of space, and reduced operating expenses makes the South Cambridge Science Centre an exceptionally affordable option for high-spec lab space in the area.

The South Cambridge Science Centre is being developed by Abstract Securities, a commercial property development company. Abstract Securities is headed by CEO Mark Glatman and has a strong track record in delivering large-scale high-quality office and R&D projects in strategic locations.

The South Cambridge Science Centre is designed with industry-leading green credentials and sustainability standards. Key environmental features include targeting an EPC 'A' energy performance rating and a BREEAM 'Excellent' certification for the building's design and construction.

The facility will be carbon-neutral in operation, relying on zero fossil fuels (100% electric power) for heating and systems. It also incorporates a sophisticated rainwater harvesting and recycling system to minimize mains water usage, addressing local water conservation needs Notably, the building's energy efficiency is so advanced that it meets or exceeds the UK Green Building Council's targets for 2030–2035, essentially future-proofing it against upcoming sustainability benchmarks. Additional green initiatives include high levels of insulation, smart ventilation and lighting controls, on-site renewable energy (e.g. solar PV panels), and excellent facilities for cyclists (the project is aiming for CyclingScore Platinum). Together, these features underscore the South Cambridge Science Centre's commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable operation.

You can contact the South Cambridge Science Centre through multiple channels. The easiest way is via the official website's contact form, where prospective tenants or interested parties can submit an enquiry directly online.

Alternatively, the development team can be reached by email or phone. The key representatives at Abstract Securities are:

• Mark Glatman (mark.glatman@abstractsecurities.com)
• Christopher McPherson (christopher.mcpherson@abstractsecurities.com)

The head office phone number for Abstract Securities is +44 (0)20 7747 8282.

Yes. An official brochure for SCSC is available and can be obtained from the official website. The site provides a downloadable PDF brochure that contains comprehensive details about the centre's design, specifications, floor plans, amenities, and the benefits it offers to potential occupiers. The latest edition of the brochure (updated in early 2025) highlights the science park's features and gives a visual overview of the project, making it a useful resource for anyone considering space at the science centre.

The South Cambridge Science Centre is very close to Addenbrooke's Hospital and the rest of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) in geographic and travelling terms. It is located approximately 5.7 miles south of the Biomedical Campus, which translates to about a 10–15-minute drive by car under normal conditions. This proximity means that the South Cambridge Science Centre's tenants have convenient access to Cambridge's primary medical and research hub (which includes institutions such as the new Royal Papworth Hospital, and major industry R&D centres such as AstraZeneca's HQ)

The quick connection to CBC underscores the South Cambridge Science Centre's location within Cambridge's life sciences ecosystem.

SCSC benefits from nearby rail connections. The nearest railway stations are Great Shelford Station and Whittlesford Parkway Station, both of which are located within about a ten-minute drive of the science centre. These local stations provide access to the national rail network (with services towards Cambridge city and London), making it convenient for commuters or visitors traveling by train.

In addition, the Cambridge South railway station – which is being built to serve the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and South Cambridge – will be another close-by option, roughly 6 miles from the South Cambridge Science Centre (around 13 minutes by car).

The Cambridge South station, once operational, will further enhance rail connectivity, linking the science centre area directly to Cambridge's expanding transit infrastructure.

Phase 2 development at the South Cambridge Science centre has secured Planning Consent and construction is scheduled to commence in July 2025 with completion anticipated Q3 2026. The second Phase of the development will comprise approx. 44,650 sq ft (GIA).