Plans for a new state-of-the-art life science incubator facility have taken an important step forward with the approval of planning permission for the scheme by Nottingham City Council.
The facility, which will be located close to BioCity, Nottingham’s existing incubator building which houses more than 70 science start-up companies, will support up to 200 new specialist bioscience jobs.
The scheme will be supported by £6.5 million of funding from the Local Growth Fund to expand bioscience facilities in the city centre.
The 50,000 sq ft building will provide move on space for expanding bioscience businesses – a sector that has been identified for growth within the city under the Local Growth Deal with Local Enterprise Partnership D2N2.
Willmott Dixon has been appointed as main contractor on the project which has been designed by architects CPMG, with Gleeds as project and cost manager. Notts-based consulting engineers Morgan Tucker will also work on the scheme.
Nick Heath, operations director at Willmott Dixon in the East Midlands, said: “This is a really exciting project for Nottingham as it looks to grow the bioscience industry within the city and we are thrilled to have been selected as the main contractor.
“The new building will feature a number of state-of-the-art biology and chemistry laboratories in a range of sizes, as well as ancillary space for commercial lease to both start-up and existing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the sector.
“BioCity is already a flourishing facility within the city and the addition of this new centre will further establish the hub of knowledge and skills within the city. It is hoped that this will help to nurture those businesses already present within Nottingham, but also work to attract new ones to the city.”
BioCity is the biggest development of its type in Europe and currently supports more than70 scientific discovery centres. Life sciences and healthcare sectors currently account for 55,000 jobs across 1,400 firms in Nottingham and it is hoped this new facility will further stimulate the industry within the city.
Anthony Cork, director for Gleeds in Nottingham, said: “We are delighted to support another iconic project for Nottingham and its growth plan. As well as attracting further investment into the city, flagship projects such as this present fantastic opportunities for local businesses and people. The construction phase will create great jobs for firms and individuals. Once complete, the businesses occupying the building will no doubt generate further demand for local skills.’’
Prominent Nottingham practice CPMG has been appointed as architects on the scheme. They have created a striking building which will finally provide the city’s BioSciences cluster with a public face. The team is working in conjunction with a local artist to create a large scale artwork across the principal elevations, to further celebrate the role of science in Nottingham.
Hugh Avison, group director at CPMG, said: “This project is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant improvement within Nottingham . It’s a city which is already well known for its science expertise – being the home of Ibruprofen and the MRI scanner.
“The area is highlighted for major future development as the Eastside Regeneration Zone; we are immensely proud to be designing the first building as part of this, which we are sure will act as a catalyst for further development.”
Matthew Tucker of Morgan Tucker said: “Morgan Tucker is really pleased to be involved in this important project which will boost jobs and growth in the city.”
The project forms part of the Local Growth Deal with Local Enterprise Partnership D2N2, which will see £174.4 million invested to help accelerate economic growth across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire over the next six years.
Life sciences are identified as a high growth sector in Nottingham’s economic Growth Plan. Nottingham is also home to leading international brands such as Alliance Boots and Reckitt Benckiser as well as local high growth companies including Aesica and Sygnature Discovery.
