LEICESTER | Science Park - Abbey Meadows | U/C

[Leicity82]

From LRC website:

19th March 2008
Thousands of high-tech jobs on the way as tree-lined gateway is officially opened at Leicester Science Park

Leicester Science Park, a major regeneration project creating thousands of jobs, came a step closer with the official opening of what will become a tree-lined boulevard.

In a VIP opening ceremony, the first of dozens of trees was planted to form a leafy gateway to the science park and the National Space Centre.



The road, between Abbey Lane and Exploration Drive, was jointly funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and local developers William Davies and Sowden Group, and constructed by Danaher and Walsh.

Leicester Regeneration Company Chairman Neil Morris was joined by representatives from Leicester City Council, emda, LSEP, De Montfort University and Leicester University at the event.

The ceremony also marked the start of landscaping on site, with Neil Morris joining forces with the Leader of Leicester City Council, Ross Willmott, and Bryan Jackson, chairman of emda, to plant the first tree.

The structural landscaping will create a boulevard of trees lining the access road, enhancing the science park site and the entrance to the National Space Centre. The landscaping works will be completed at the end of April.

The Science Park aims to retain science-based graduates in the city, and will create over 2,000 jobs in the city in science-based ventures. As a whole, Leicester Science Park covers 16 acres. It comprises two sites – one fronting Abbey Lane and the Council owned John Ellis School site. Both sites have planning permission for science uses and have been cleared for development. LRC are working with Leicester City Council and emda to select a lead developer for both sites. On an adjoining site, Ingleby will be building offices, riverside homes and a car showroom.

Neil Morris said: “It is great to see all of our partners coming together to celebrate the opening of the road and the start of landscaping. This is another big milestone in the regeneration of the city and another step closer to seeing a Science Park completed. We have two fantastic universities that have excellent science and innovation facilities, and these sites will provide jobs that will enable graduate retention.”

Bryan Jackson, Chairman of emda, said: “We believe that the development of skills and expertise in science and innovation is vitally important for the future of the region. emda is proud to be supporting the creation of the Leicester Science Park; it will be a great asset for Leicestershire and the East Midlands and will also assist us in our aim to build a flourishing region by 2020, where skilled people work in thriving, innovative businesses."

Cllr Ross Willmott, leader of Leicester City Council said: "The start of the science park marks the realisation of a commitment the Council made five years ago when I invested £6.85 million in moving the Council's waste depot. This move made the science park possible. I would like to thank emda, Ingleby and the LRC for their investment and commitment to making the science park a reality."

LRC website

[jaybob]

Passed this the other day, great new access to the site, which has now allowed about 30 caravans to park there, trash the place and leave gas cylinders and crap behind.

[Leicity82]

[braunstone geezer]

ha ha thats well funny

have i got this rite then? they have built the accsess road and started to landscape it before theyve built the actual science park buildings? surely this means that big construction vehicles are going to be dropping crap all over the place

fuck it i cant be arsed writing any more

[braunstone geezer]

you shouldnt judge so quickley, ive just found out that the gypos on the access site are there to tarmac the new roads in a deal wiv leicester city council, something about giving jobs to the jobless and aston martins to willmot and his crew

[jaybob]

How many Aston Martins can one council leader need

[braunstone geezer]

three

[Leicity82]

Planning application for phase 2 (amended plans) of the park has been lodged:

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20060841

[Leicity82]

Went past the site today and there was a new road with a sign pointing to 'Abbey Meadows Science Park' - well it's a area of vacant land at the moment.

[Leicity82]

As well as Zeeko another Leicestershire company 'Magna Parva' are thinking of moving to the park according to the LRC Feb, 08 minutes:

http://www.leicesterregeneration.co....es04-02-08.pdf

This is their website: http://www.magnaparva.com/

[Leicity82]

Phase 2 (mostly housing by Bellway Homes) has been approved:

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20080618

[Leicity82]

Good news - from Mercury today:

Ready to take off

Leicester Science Park, seen as one of the key parts of the city's £3 billion regeneration, will have its first occupant this time next year.Bosses at hi-tech engineering firm Zeeko, in Coalville, said they were "absolutely confident" of moving to the 20-acre site, off Abbey Lane, by November 2009.

Regeneration bosses said it would be a major boost for the much-anticipated development because it would help to attract similar companies.

Richard Freeman, Zeeko managing director, said a planning application will be submitted to Leicester City Council this week after two years of working with officials on the design of the factory, which would occupy a one-acre plot. The company is also working with East Midlands Development Agency, which owns the land.

"We have been working with planners for the past two years," said Mr Freeman. "We are looking to move before this time next year. We are absolutely confident about that."

Zeeko carries out precision engineering projects for the space industry and 60 per cent of the workforce has a PhD.

Regeneration bosses said it is exactly the kind of business they want at the science park, which is close to the National Space Centre. They see it as a major step forward for the site, which has taken longer to get off the ground than originally planned.

Mr Freeman said it would double staff numbers to 60 and turnover would double to £6 million within two years.

A spokeswoman for Leicester City Council said building work on Zeeko's factory could begin in March, if planning consent was given.

"We are aware an application is imminent and look forward to its submission," she said.

"We would expect to deal with the application within 13 weeks. If permission is granted they could be on site within two to three months."

Work on an access road and utilities has already been completed.

Councillor Patrick Kitterick, the city council's regeneration spokesman, said: "There's been an enormous amount of investment on preparation of the science park.

"Once we get Zeeko in, we are sure others will follow."

John Nicholls, chief executive of Leicester Regeneration Company, said: "I share Mr Freeman's optimism, but it's up to others to decide. I'd like to see them there in the time period they've indicated.

"Zeeko is a great first occupier to have because it's so hi-tech and space related.

"They would act as a great beacon to other similar businesses."

The company makes specialist machines which produce state-of-the-art mirrors. It is now creating a 1.6 metre-wide machine to make mirror segments for the European Southern Observatory, which is set to be the world's biggest telescope.

Source: Leicester Mercury

See: http://www.thisisbusiness-eastmidlan...-take-off.aspx

Here's the picture of the proposed Zeeko building from the article last year, which I posted previously:

[philkeavo]

The steel framework for the safe store premises are progressing.

[Leicity82]

Gosh that's being developed very quickly! I hope the office part will start soon.

[Leicity82]

Here's a proper render of the Zeeko building from their website:

See: http://www.zeeko.co.uk/index.php?opt...=18&Itemid=127

[Leicity82]

Zeeko should be moving into the science park by November, according to this Mercury business article:

http://www.thisisbusiness-eastmidlan...-one-spot.aspx

So finally someone will be moving in.

[mph12]

Zeeko Plans

EXPLORATION DRIVE, LAND ADJACENT NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE
TWO STOREY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY (CLASS B1(b))

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20090067

[Leicity82]

Great!

[duane]

Going to be some top jobs around there. Great for the city.

[Leicity82]

From Leicester Mercury business today:

Hi-tech firms look at move to Leicester Science Park
A number of firms are interested in moving into Leicester Science Park, it emerged today.

Business leaders said "several" companies were looking at relocating to the 20-acre site, off Abbey Lane.It comes after hi-tech firm Zeeko said it hoped become the park's first resident by autumn this year.

The cutting edge companies, which are all small and fast-growing, are interested in occupying the park's proposed innovation centre.

The development of the park is set to receive new impetus over the next few months having taken far longer to get off the ground than expected.

The chief executive of the new Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Development Company (LLEDC), said the science park will be one of his priorities when the new group begins work next month.

It is thought either Leicester Regeneration Company or LLEDC will bid for European funding for some of the estimated £5 million cost of the innovation centre in the next two months. The remainder of the cash is likely to come from other public sector bodies.

John Nicholls, chief executive of Leicester Regeneration Company, which is set to be absorbed into the LLEDC, said: "Several companies have expressed an interest in the park. They are hi-tech companies with potential for expansion, which is exactly what the science park is aimed at."

Mr Nicholls said he hoped to see the centre, which has not yet received formal planning consent, ready for occupation by the end of 2010.

Two previous bids to create an innovation centre - one using European funding and another using a private sector developer - have failed over the past five years.

The science park has been criticised in some quarters for being too far from the city's two universities.

LLEDC chief executive David Hughes has highlighted the importance of the city's two universities, as well as Loughborough University, to the success of the park. Planning consent for Loughborough Science Park, next to the town's university, which will create 3,000 jobs, is expected this week.

Speaking earlier this month, he said: "We should be retaining graduates. There's a very good chance we will be talking with the three universities about how we can work together on Leicester Science Park."

Zeeko, based in Coalville, is the only company to commit itself to the park. A planning application for a one-acre factory site has been submitted to Leicester City Council.

The company would double staff numbers to 60 after the relocation and turnover would double to £6 million within two years.

Last month, the firm announced it had won orders worth £2.45 million.

Source: Leicester Mercury

See: http://www.thisisbusiness-eastmidlan...elocation.aspx