Bilfinger GVA’s Manchester Planning Regeneration and Development (PDR) team has secured outline planning approval on behalf of M-SParc for the development of Menai Science Park in Anglesey, North Wales, a development which will deliver 700 jobs to the economy.
The Isle of Anglesey County Council Planning Committee unanimously approved an outline planning application for the development of the science park, with a focus on renewable energies and environmental technologies. Located off Junction 7 of the A55, Gaerwen, Anglesey, the site plans comprise 22,703 sq m of floorspace split across eight buildings between two and three storeys in height, set in a high quality landscaped environment.
M-SParc, a subsidiary company of Bangor University, which is responsible for the development and operation of the Menai Science Park, instructed Bilfinger GVA’s PDR team as planning advisor in January 2014. M-SParc is targeting university spin-out companies in the life sciences and environmental industries as occupiers.
Bilfinger GVA property consultancy’s role included advising on making the case for the unallocated site; demonstration of the benefits of the science park through a full socio-economic impact assessment; organisation and management of the pre-application consultation process; management of the project’s technical team; review of technical studies and submission and monitoring of the planning application.
In addition to its planning advice, Bilfinger GVA’s Science Park specialists within their National Markets team provided a market demand report to underpin an understanding of occupier requirements to support the business case for the investment.
Negotiations are now on-going in respect of planning conditions and a S106 agreement for transport improvement contributions. It is hoped a decision can be issued by the end of the month.
Hayley Knight, Principal Planner in Bilfinger GVA’s Manchester office said: ‘We are delighted with the overwhelming support that the Planning Committee showed for the proposals yesterday. As noted by a number of the councillors the proposals are fully in line with the island’s economic focus on renewable energy and environmental technology and will provide excellent opportunities for North West Wales to retain graduates from Bangor University as well as attracting investment from elsewhere.’
Menai Science Park Limited said: “This week’s unanimous approval for outline plans is a major step forward for the site. It is an exciting chapter in the economic regeneration of Anglesey and North West Wales.
“With our close proximity to Bangor University, we hope to attract new hi-tech environmental and life science firms and graduate occupiers to the development.”
Bilfinger GVA’s Manchester Building team are now in the process of project managing the delivery of site infrastructure, with the first building anticipated to be finished in 2017.
The Project is funded through Welsh Government and EU ERDF Funds.