Last paragraph a-tags went missing. Retrying, in case admins don't switch article to HTML view fast enough:

This 28 page letter is on the ODPM planning
page as a PDF under a bland title. There are news releases from S Cambs DC about this decision and their original decision. Cambridge University issued a PVC statement. Bidwells are acting as agents for Cambridge University in the development, but have apparently published no statement. They also manage the Science Park.

"South Cambs DC originally refusing it for good reasons". No, the council originally refused it because they were scared of the threat of more SHAC-style violence and intimidation. Prescott's dead right: risk of unlawful activity should not dictate policy.

The ‘national interest’ is in research that gets valid results and doesn’t waste time, effort and money in animal-murdering experiments that endanger human health

Sorry chipper, but breaking into green belt and inadequate transport links are "good reasons" under our current planning system. Although SCambsDC noted the likely protests, they did not refuse permission on those "public safety" grounds.

I think the freedom to use the vague "national interest" reason to approve planning applications that further government policy is rather worrying. What stops them claiming that building new housing on flood plains is government policy? It will mostly flood areas that return tory and liberal MPs, after all.

Aaron, read the original decision which you link to:
 http://www.scambs.gov.uk/scambs/news.nsf/8f4f1d68004bfd1085256990005344f9/3d896d0bf994f98980256b580053f180?OpenDocument

"Whilst South Cambridgeshire District Council accepts that the proposal is in the national interest, and that this is sufficient to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, it considers that the Huntingdon Road site is unacceptable because of the risk to public safety."

Those risks to public safety being...

"o The proposal is located close to the junction of a major road intersection, namely the A14, M11, A428 and A1307.
o Cambridgeshire Constabulary have commented that on the basis of recent experience the proposal will result in protests. They are of the view that such demonstrations will result in road blockages and a serious danger to public safety.
o Officers considered whether conditions could be put in place to make the proposal acceptable. It was concluded that measures to limit the risk to public safety on this site would not be effective. "

ie: protestors attacking the site itself or blocking roads or running onto roads and causing accidents.

They also say that they strongly support the lab, and they've said were prepared for the green belt intrusion. The only reason they declined the application was because of the threat of demonstators.
"Scientific research is the basis for the success of the Cambridge ' phenomenon' and this proposal for world-leading university-led research is strongly supported by South Cambridgeshire District Council."

And here, responding to the recent decision:
 http://www.scambs.gov.uk/scambs/news.nsf/280e7f69bd69cf3385256990005344fa/6fcfc0ed20a4ce8380256de50055d30e?OpenDocument
"In his summary, the Inspector said he was, "…convinced that demonstrations and disruption would continue during and after the erection of the buildings. Although the Police would always perform their duty to the best of their ability, I consider that this location would invite a greater use of Police resources and present activists with massive potential for disruption. " ... This was precisely the reason for the Council's concerns with this site"

They didn't decline the application because of transport links or green belt intrusion, but purely because animal rights demonstrators are viewed as scary dangerous thugs.

The report of the Planning Inspector regarding this proposed laboratory makes a very interesting read. Some quotes from it can be read at:
 http://www.primateprison.org/planninginspector.html