Morgan Sindall starts construction work at Railpen development in Cambridge

The project, formerly known as Devonshire Gardens and which has a value of £180 million, has been developed by Railpen, manager of the £34 billion railways pension scheme in the UK, and Socius, its development partner.

The site was rebranded in 2024 to Mill Yard, reflecting its position on the vibrant Mill Road, close to the heart of the city. Mill Yard comprises 110,000 sq ft of prime offices, 70 build-to-rent apartments, a series of residential former railway cottages, a 2,100 sq ft crèche, a community events pavilion, and a cluster of retail units across seven buildings set around a 1.55-acre public park.

This landmark brownfield regeneration will unlock a vital space in the heart of the city, located close to Cambridge train station. The heart of Mill Yard will feature a pavilion designed by George King Architects that will serve as a focal point for the public park and green areas around the site, ensuring residents and users can access green outdoor space on their doorstep.

The site will also benefit from a perimeter running track, play street, and it will be the only major office development in the city with secure cycle parking and end of journey facilities at ground floor.

Sustainability has been central to the project’s design and planning stages, during which Morgan Sindall employed its Intelligent Solutions model of construction to minimise Mill Yard’s environmental footprint. 99 per cent of the waste generated will be diverted from landfill and an embodied carbon saving goal of 5,013 tonnes has been set.

Once complete, the buildings will be all electric, using a combination of on and off-site renewable energy sources, and there will be no fossil fuels used on site. Materials used for the construction will be responsibly sourced and rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels will generate emissions-free energy.

The wildlife in Cambridge will also benefit, with Mill Yard aiming for a 280 per cent biodiversity net gain in the centre of the city. Bat, bird, and bee boxes will be installed in the gardens alongside green roofs, hedgehog habitats, and evergreen planters. The site will also be largely car-free asides from blue badge spaces and electric vehicle charging points.

Railpen and Socius are committed to delivering significant levels of social value for Cambridge during the project, an ethos which aligns with the community-first approach of Morgan Sindall’s Cambridge-based business.

The partnership has resulted in a commitment to generating more than £60m in social value for the local area, a figure verified by social impact company Social Value Portal.

The tier one contractor plans to achieve the social value target through a variety of initiatives ranging from employing 12 local homeless people on the project, providing work experience, apprenticeship, employment, and upskilling opportunities as well as donating 500 hours in volunteering time. Over £30m has also been earmarked for spending in the local supply chain, boosting the area’s economy and supporting nearby businesses.

Jamie Shearman, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Cambridgeshire, said: “The scale of change that Mill Yard promises to bring to Cambridge is truly remarkable and we’re incredibly proud to be working alongside Railpen and Socius on the development. As a local team, we know that Cambridge is a truly one-of-a-kind city, but it’s through regeneration projects like this that each community will really be able to fulfil their true potential.

“Not only will Mill Yard turn an unsightly industrial area into a green and modern environment, but it will do so while delivering much needed investment, housing and community facilities while also giving the local wildlife a valuable boost. With sustainability at the core of this brownfield regeneration, Mill Yard is also setting an incredibly high bar for minimising emissions over the lifetime of a development.”

Richard Van Lente, Senior Asset and Development Manager at Railpen, commented: “Mill Yard is the first stage in realising our significant commitment to Cambridge, supporting the government’s growth agenda while delivering secure long-term returns for our members. It will form part of an ecosystem of highly sustainable, innovative and complementary developments that will help the city, its businesses and communities thrive.”

Doug Higgins, Development Director at Socius, said: “Mill Yard brings something very different to Cambridge, combining the best attributes of business parks with the accessibility and vibrancy of a city centre location. It will play a key role in addressing the pent-up demand for high-quality space among SMEs in the city, and will boast an impressive public realm with sustainability at its core.”