Life science campus amendments at Land Adjacent To GSK Campus, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage

What was proposed

The application sought changes to an approved life sciences campus, including two data centres, altered laboratory buildings, parking, landscaping and infrastructure.

“- 6 - 3.3 The proposed changes sought in this application, as detailed below, comply with the principles established through the Armstrong case. They comply with the operative part of the Permission and do not seek to alter it. The application continues to be in ‘hybrid’ form and seeks detailed planning permission for the initial (Phase 1) suite of works and outline planning permission (with all matters reserved) for the remainder of the Masterplan.”

“Buildings 2 and 4 are to be relocated within the Site, with alterations to their height and combined floorspace. • The introduction of 2 x Data Centres and associated infrastructure, including a new substation. As a Class B8 Use the provision of the data centres accords with the operative part of the May 2024 Permission, as amended by the November 2025 NMA. • A new hard and soft landscaping scheme throughout the Detailed Area.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The brownfield site covers 17.37 hectares within the Gunnels Wood Employment Area and includes existing campus buildings, parking and access roads.

“The application site is located within the Gunnels Wood Employment Area to the southwest of the town. The site comprises land within the wider extent of the existing GSK Campus, comprising a range of buildings associated with ‘life science’ research and development. The site is ‘brownfield’ and previously developed measuring 17.37ha. It is largely vacant, with the existing CTC building located within the west of the site boundary.”

“The site also includes the GSK security building (to be re-located onto the existing Campus under planning permission 23/00249/FP) and sports centre and the temporary Spark building located within the centre of the site. The site also includes areas of existing hardstanding and surface level car parking.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered employment floorspace, access improvements, a replacement security lodge and the approved life sciences campus being amended.

“Outline planning permission ref. 05/00621/OP was approved on 7 April 2009 for development to include 60,000m² of office floorspace, improvements to means of access and additional 1,200 car parking spaces following the demolition of existing buildings (‘2009 Outline’). The 2009 Outline was subject to a S73 application (Ref: 09/00314/FPM) which was approved on 1 March 2010.”

“Hybrid Planning Application for a new Life Sciences Campus comprising full planning permission for the demolition of existing ancillary buildings, structures, erection of employment floorspace (Classes E(g)(ii) and (iii) and B2, with provision for Class E uses at ground, lower ground and upper ground/mezzanine floors) revised junction arrangement (A602 and Gunnels Wood Road) and alterations to the site layout to include new car parking (including a multi storey car park),…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the amended scheme continued to support employment policy, design, transport, environmental objectives and significant economic benefits.

“The amended scheme would continue to generate a number of significant economic benefits which weigh heavily in favour of the grant of planning permission. It would elevate Stevenage to a leading hub for life sciences within the UK, building on its established sector and range of occupiers (including the existing GSK Campus).”

“The co-location of data centres on the campus would allow Stevenage to sit at the forefront of life science innovation in the UK, future proofing the cluster as technological needs expand over time. The centres would facilitate the research occurring at the campus by providing access to high-quality processing power. These co-location benefits would extend beyond the companies at the campus.”

Officer report

What the committee heard

Members received a presentation explaining the campus changes, data centres, public spaces, cooling approach and relationship with the existing campus.

Members’ questions

Members questioned contamination, drainage and biodiversity contributions, and officers explained how conditions and the existing legal agreement would address them.

“Both the LLFA and the Environment Agency had been consulted on the previous and current applications. While the LLFA had initially raised an objection, further discussions took place and additional information was provided. Following this, the LLFA was satisfied that the existing planning conditions attached to the original permission, which would be carried forward to the amended permission, would adequately address the drainage requirements.”

“25 A Member sought clarification regarding the Section 106 agreement and whether a financial contribution towards biodiversity had been removed due to the amended layout delivering greater biodiversity. The planning officer clarified that the original planning permission secured a contribution of £29,849 towards off-site biodiversity.”

Minutes