Science park takes major step forward
Proposals for Britain's biggest new science park have taken a great leap forward after South Gloucestershire Council approved the latest plans.
Developers behind the £300 million science park at Emersons Green have won planning approval to double the size of the innovation centre - which will act as a hub for developing and supporting 'young' science-based industries - to about 70,000 sq ft.
The development, known as SPark, is being promoted by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA).
It has chosen Quantum Property Partnership, a joint venture between Quintain Estate and Development and Morely Fund Management, to build the single largest project in the South West.
Work on SPark is scheduled to start early in the new year and is set to create about 6,000 highly skilled jobs.
The innovation centre will play a role in developing so-called high value, knowledge-based industries with the support of the region's three major universities, Bristol, Bath and UWE.
Lorelei Hunt, director of innovation at SWRDA, said: "The area is already home to a cluster of world leading science and technology businesses that have made a massive contribution to wealth generation.
"We need to ensure their continued growth as well as support new and emerging businesses to secure the region's future competitiveness in the global economy."
She said the SWRDA had already worked on the Tamar Science Park in Plymouth and the Enterprise Pavilion in Bournemouth and said the SPark would be comparable to the best science parks in the UK, including sites at Cambridge and Oxford.
The 10-year project will provide dedicated space for science and technology businesses developing new products and ideas generated by research teams working at the three universities.
The latest detailed planning approval for the 60-acre site has been welcomed by the Quantum Property Partnership. Spokeswoman Tonianne Dwyer said: "Over the last year we have translated the SPark vision into a viable master plan that will provide world-class facilities for fledgling businesses and attract the biggest names in research and development to the region."
She said all three universities involved had excellent research departments which would allow science-based industries to benefit from their knowledge and facilities.
SWRDA said it had ploughed £30m into the project which has been on the drawing board for more than 20 years.
Approval of the latest master plan by South Gloucestershire Council will ensure the long-term development of the huge site, including landscaping, new roads and the rest of the infrastructure that goes with such a large project.