Loughborough University science park expansion could create thousands of jobs
Thousands of jobs could be created with the expansion of Loughborough University’s science park.
The university already has one of the largest science and enterprise parks in the country which is home to businesses in the sports and energy sector.
It has a 22-acre site on the western edge of its campus earmarked for a multi-million pound expansion.
Leicestershire County Council is considering investing in the expansion and its cabinet members are set to discuss the issue on Wednesday (February 6).
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Council papers published yesterday show the expansion of the science park is a key element of Leicestershire’s bid for a City Deal - an agreement with Government that could see greater powers devolved locally and huge investment to boost the local economy.
The County Hall report says the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) is identified as a major opportunity “which could lever £225 million of private investment in the Leicestershire economy, generating 5,300 jobs, including specialist research and design and advanced engineering and manufacturing positions”.
The report says the university wants to kickstart the expansion with an “Advanced Technology Innovation Centre” and a separate premises required for the new facility.
It says an initial bid for cash from the European Region Development Fund was unsuccessful but that the university has asked for the decision to be reconsidered.
The report says: “The total cost of these two early facilities over the next two years is estimated at £16 million with a potential funding shortfall of £2 million.
“The facilities would provide 300 new jobs.
“These two developments would also significantly facilitate the remainder of the next expansion phase which would deliver an additional estimated £45 million of investment and 940 jobs.”
The report says longer term expansion of the LUSEP, combined with other potential major residential developments nearby will require large amounts infrastructure
investment.
2 Comments
by intrest
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 9:46PM
“In comment.If perhaps we took poetic licence for a while -removed the decorative public relation material-what we are perhaps looking at-is a 22 acre field-.I think thats what the computer would say-if it could.Borrowing money like this-can only lead to further financial reccession.Looks good on A4-#or the A6#in real money-a different story-huge losses on the stockmarket are already a reality for example.”
by anobserver
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 12:22PM
“Lets surmise here .
I want to have new premises for my innovative science business.A bit of help with the new premises costs would be a great help and an incentive to help my choice.Somewhere with good access and parking would be good.If it was possible to be part of an established and succesfull science park,even better.
As I wish to remain within easy travelling distance of home,as I think staff would too,I could pick on two at present.Loughboro and Leicester.
Appraisal:Loughborough ..Established science park,great transport links,parking.
Leicester..not established,useless access,parking not sure,on a flood plane.
I think my choice is made !”