Redesign at Harwell

Goodman’s Harwell Oxford is to benefit from £100 million of Government investment into thescience and technology industry. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon George Osborne MP, announced during the Budget that the money would be invested in new science facilities at four research locations in the UK, one being The International Space and Innovation Centre (ISIC) based at Harwell Oxford.

Harwell Oxford with a 60 year history of excellence in science and technology is to be developed into a world-leading hub for technology transfer and innovation as part of a joint venture by global property group Goodman, The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and The Science and Facilities Technology Councils (STFC). Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, Director of Harwell Oxford and Goodman Science Park’s, said: “We welcome the Government’s continued commitment to advancing the UK’s world leading science and technology industry. Further investment into public-private collaborations, such as the International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC), will enhance the UK space industry and
contribute to economic growth. This type of funding is vital to provide ongoing infrastructure support through innovative and supportive environments such as Harwell Oxford that drive collaboration and commercialisation. In the face of competition from both emerging nations and established players, this investment and the increase in the R&D tax credit for SME’s will help the sector to reach its full potential.

” The International Space Innovation Centre is a public-private initiative at Harwell Oxford led by STFC.

Between 1999 and 2007, the UK, space sector has averaged 9% growth per annum, and currently contributes around £5.6 billion to UK GDP, supporting 68,000 jobs (direct and induced). The UK’s Space and Innovation & Growth Strategy (IGS) outlines ambitious targets to increase the UK’s share of this market to £40 billion by 2030.

Future investment at Harwell Oxford will encompass fundamental scientific research and the development of housing, retail and leisure amenities to create the biggest specialist community of its kind anywhere in the UK.

A minimum of 100,000 square metres of laboratory, high technology industrial and office accommodation has been masterplanned for development. Up to 5,000 high value knowledge-based jobs are expected to be created.

The other three research locations to benefit from the funding include - The Babraham Research Campus in Cambridge; The Norwich Research Park for environmental and life sciences; and The National Science and Innovation Campus at Daresbury.