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Goodman wins planning appeal on Bedfordshire science park development
Planning permission has been granted on appeal after Bedford Borough Council’s decision to block the development, by a government inspector, who has granted permission for the development of a new Knowledge Hub and world-class Innovation Centre at the 1,200 acre Colworth Science Park in Bedfordshire.
The development is the result of a successful partnership between the public, academic and private sectors - East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Cranfield and Cambridge Universities and Colworth Science Park, which is managed by international property developers Goodman.
Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA, said: "It is great news that the Knowledge Hub and Innovation Centre have been granted planning permission at last.
"The region has become a global centre for science and innovation and this decision will help Colworth Science Park to secure its position as one of the leading locations for research and development within the East of England.
"The new business and lab space to be developed, and the new relationships established with the two universities, will appeal to researchers and scientific organisations around the world."
Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, Director of Colworth Science Park, said: "This is the decision Colworth Science Park deserves, and one that will be welcomed in Bedfordshire.
"We have received a great deal of support for this scheme, and have shown it will have a beneficial effect on the local area, bringing world-class partners to this historically important location for scientific research, and creating high-quality jobs for local people."
The state-of-the-art Knowledge Hub is supported by a £1.85 million grant from EEDA to Cranfield and Cambridge universities. It provides both universities with direct access to top quality office, networking and conferencing facilities.
Colworth Science Park is ideally located at the fulcrum of the London and Oxford innovation arc and provides a matchless business research environment.
The planning approval also gives permission for the development of an Innovation Centre and grow-on space, providing world-class laboratory and office facilities for small to medium-sized companies.
Colworth Science Park is already home to 18 businesses in a collaborative science community comprising major companies such as Unilever alongside other growing technology based businesses.
The academic presence will be led by Cranfield School of Management and by Cambridge University's Centre for Technology Management and Judge Business School's Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning.
Based within the Knowledge Hub, the academics will be able to work with a range of companies in a commercial setting with the full support of modern, shared facilities, amenities and equipment.
The development is the result of a successful partnership between the public, academic and private sectors - East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Cranfield and Cambridge Universities and Colworth Science Park, which is managed by international property developers Goodman.
Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA, said: "It is great news that the Knowledge Hub and Innovation Centre have been granted planning permission at last.
"The region has become a global centre for science and innovation and this decision will help Colworth Science Park to secure its position as one of the leading locations for research and development within the East of England.
"The new business and lab space to be developed, and the new relationships established with the two universities, will appeal to researchers and scientific organisations around the world."
Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, Director of Colworth Science Park, said: "This is the decision Colworth Science Park deserves, and one that will be welcomed in Bedfordshire.
"We have received a great deal of support for this scheme, and have shown it will have a beneficial effect on the local area, bringing world-class partners to this historically important location for scientific research, and creating high-quality jobs for local people."
The state-of-the-art Knowledge Hub is supported by a £1.85 million grant from EEDA to Cranfield and Cambridge universities. It provides both universities with direct access to top quality office, networking and conferencing facilities.
Colworth Science Park is ideally located at the fulcrum of the London and Oxford innovation arc and provides a matchless business research environment.
The planning approval also gives permission for the development of an Innovation Centre and grow-on space, providing world-class laboratory and office facilities for small to medium-sized companies.
Colworth Science Park is already home to 18 businesses in a collaborative science community comprising major companies such as Unilever alongside other growing technology based businesses.
The academic presence will be led by Cranfield School of Management and by Cambridge University's Centre for Technology Management and Judge Business School's Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning.
Based within the Knowledge Hub, the academics will be able to work with a range of companies in a commercial setting with the full support of modern, shared facilities, amenities and equipment.
Wed, 6th Aug 2008