Cowley Road, Cambridge

This £9 million project provides a modern facility for the council's fleet vehicle parking, essential for cleaning, landscaping, maintenance, and safety services. The new 7,500m² hub features offices and staff facilities, supporting the Council’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. VolkerFitzpatrick has implemented various sustainable solutions throughout the project to help meet this target.

The project was secured via the £8 billion Procure Partnerships Framework, which simplifies procurement and ensures high-quality standards, helping clients manage risks effectively for large-scale developments.

The works included refurbishing and converting an existing car showroom, whereby the building will be stripped back to its steel frame structure and a new aluminium framed full-height window-curtain walling system will be installed. 

A two storey extension to the side of the existing hub has be constructed and includes timber cladding with vertical slats across the large first-floor windows. This building also provides a range of staff facilities along with offices for the operational team and serves as storage for the council's fleet used for cleaning, landscaping, maintenance, and health and safety.

Social Value

The project delivered an impressive £1.4 million in social value—nearly double the target and 22% of the total contract value. Key achievements included £663K spent with SMEs, a fully local VolkerFitzpatrick workforce, and training for graduates and placement students. It also engaged 67 University of Cambridge students through site tours, celebrated Women in Construction Week, and supported local charities.

Sustainability

Setting new standards for sustainable municipal infrastructure, the Operations Hub incorporates solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and infrastructure to support an all-electric vehicle fleet. These features play a key role in supporting the council’s ambition to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030.