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About the partnership
Grosvenor is a property company with over 300 years of experience. Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) isone of the UK's largest pension funds. Both are committed to delivering progressive and high quality urban design solutions, which are sensitive to the local communityand environment.
Grosvenor is a privately owned property group with offices in 19 of the world's most dynamic cities. Grosvenor is a world-leading developer of residentialproperty with a proud English heritage - and their work has been integral to several recent developments in 21st century Cambridge. Their extensive knowledge ofCambridge is based on 25 year experience in the city, and they continue to be strongly committed to its long-term development. USS is one of the UK's largestprivate pension schemes, with assets of over £40 billion. The majority of assets are managed in-house by USS Investment Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of USS.USS has extensive experience of developing, enhancing and managing significant mixed use assets located in urban centres across the UK.
Grosvenor and Universities Superannuation Scheme have a long term commitment to the success of Cambridge and the wider region. We are recognised by the local authorities and other stakeholders ashaving a positive track record of delivering in the area, including high quality developments such as The Grafton Centre, Grand Arcade, Trumpington Meadows and Parkside
The story so far (2006 - 2015)
In 2006 Cambridgeshire Horizons were commissioned by local authorities to undertake a regionalMajor Sports Facility Strategy which identified principally the need for a community stadium alongsideother sports provision which were lacking in the region. The Majority of Cambridgeshire's sportsfacilities were not accessible to the public. In 2008 a further report was commissioned on the possibleprovision of a new community stadium in the City, outlining the justification of need and potential sites.
In April 2010 Grosvenor acquired the freehold and leasehold interest at the 5.9 acre Abbey Stadium site,retaining the tenancy of Cambridge United Football Club who continues to occupy under long leasehold.The long term aim being the relocation of the club to a new stadium which would act as a centre piece ina new Sporting Village, providing the additional sporting facilities identified in the reports.
Grosvenor commissioned Pan Leisure, a specialist sports and leisure consultant, in 2010 to take a look at the local,regional and national sporting provisions and requirements. Key recommendations of the report echoed the findingsof Cambridgeshire Horizons Major Sports Facility Strategy and identified a need for a community stadium, indoor sports halland a variety of all weather pitches . In addition Cambridge has no commercial 5-a-side which presents a clearopportunity alongside a shortage of conferencing facilities. As a result, the plan for the Cambridge Sporting Village wasdeveloped. This is a project that aims to provide a new community stadium and sporting village that addresses Cambridgeshire'sidentified requirements. The project will reflect and redefine what we mean by a 'Community Stadium', it will provide acommitment beyond football.
Studies undertaken:
Vision of a sporting legacy for Cambridge unveiled today
This exciting proposal involving Abbey Stadium and Trumpington Meadows would provide Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire with a variety of inspirational sports facilities, accessible to the public as participants and spectators and secure the future of Cambridge United Football Club as the city’s leading professional sports club.
Full details of the proposed facilities that could be provided at Abbey Stadium and Trumpington Meadows can be found on this website
Strong linkages exist between the two sites in the form of cross-funding, functional connections, its delivery partners, and the benefits providedto its main beneficiaries – the community. This comprehensive package of benefits is deliverable through funding from enabling residential development at Trumpington.
The Cambridge Sporting Village plans - an extension of the existing Trumpington Meadows development - would provide a training ground for Cambridge United FC, which would become a hub for sporting apprenticeships, club and league volunteering and young leaders programmes. It would also provide an opportunity for expanded youth and skills development programmes operated by the Club and its Community Trust.
A single governance structure would ensure a consistent balance across the sports and prudent financial management would assure a long-term future for both the new sports facilities and the continuous growth of Cambridge United Football Club.
As the developer and co-owner of Trumpington Meadows and majority freeholder of the ground of the Abbey Stadium, Grosvenor and its partner USS are best placed to maximise the linkages between the two proposals and to ensure that the Cambridge Sporting Village is an integrated extension of Trumpington Meadows, sharing full access to common amenities such as the Country Park and the new sports facilities.
Two all-day consultation events are being held today in Abbey and Trumpington. The designs and masterplans of the proposals are being exhibited from 12noon-9pm each day. More than 7,000 invitations have been distributed to residents of Trumpington and Abbey wards and other interested parties.