Shoppers react to plans to demolish retail park
Anne Kingsley said she has been shopping at The Beehive Centre for the past 50 years
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People who use a city centre retail park have expressed frustration after the government approved plans to convert the site into offices and laboratories.
Plans to demolish The Beehive Centre, in Coldhams Lane, Cambridge, and replace it with new work spaces have been approved by Housing Secretary Steve Reed.
Resident Anne Kingsley said the plan was "not a good idea because it has a lot of shops here, for people who don't have a lot of money can actually come shopping".
Reed agreed with the recommendations of a planning inspector and approved the plans subject to conditions in a 122-page decision notice.
Ms Kingsley said: "How many more office blocks do we need in Cambridge.
"I've been shopping here for 50 years, so it's going to be sad."
The shopping centre is currently home to 17 retail units including a large Asda supermarket.
The plans for the new development include a mixture of offices and laboratories for businesses ranging from start-ups to global firms.
Jenny Wilson said the decision to close The Beehive Centre was really sad
Jenny Wilson, who lives in Cambridge, said the news that The Beehive Centre would be demolished was "sad".
She said a lot of local people might not be able to afford to travel anywhere else for their shopping.
"It's impossible to live like that, it's going to cost us more to live like that and travel.
"It feels bare to me, they are taking all the things away that we need and leaving it for the students - students get the rights here," she added.
Jordon Elis says he works in the area and said the decision was a shame
Jordon Elis said: "I've been in Cambridgeshire all my life, I've worked in this specific park for most of my working life.
"It would be a shame to lose out on all the retail stuff."
He said the site was accessible for people who might not be able to get around easily.
Yet he added: "I get the idea of it but I'm not sure, it's a mixed feeling for me personally."
"This has been a part of Cambridgeshire for a long time now - I would miss it."
Pauline Strange was not impressed with the decision to demolish the retail park
Pauline Strange said she visited The Beehive Centre every day and she thought it was "stupid" to demolish the retail park.
"Do we need more offices? I'm really upset," she said.
The project could create nearly 6,500 jobs and contribute £600m more to the economy than the current site, said planning inspector Jonathan Bore.
Cameron Holloway, the Labour leader for Cambridge City Council and councillor for Newnham, said: "We're not thinking of appealing the decision, we'll work with Railpen to make it into a good a scheme as we possibly can."
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