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Work prepares ground for start on new University of Plymouth
marine building
23 July 2010
Preparations are well under way for the start of major
construction work in the autumn on a new £18 million marine
building being developed by the University of Plymouth on its city
campus.
Work has already begun to prepare the ground and to remove and
relocate trees on the site which will become home to
state-of-the-art research facilities including new wave tank
testing equipment that will be unique in the UK.
The marine building is a key element of the £25 million Plymouth
Science and Innovation Programme (PSIP), announced earlier this
year, which has been created by a partnership led by the South West
RDA (Regional Development Agency), University of Plymouth and
Plymouth City Council.
The building received planning permission from Plymouth City
Council planners in March. The University is currently out to
tender for contractors and expects the main building work to start
in September, with the building expected to be completed in
mid-2012.
David James, Operations and Development Manager for the South
West RDA, said: “We’re delighted to see work progressing on this
important investment in the future economic growth plans of
Plymouth and the wider South West. It capitalises on the city’s
strengths in marine science and engineering and as part of the
PSIP, it will put Plymouth at the forefront of research into low
carbon technologies and developing a world class marine renewables
sector.”
Professor Julian Beer, Director of Research and Enterprise and
Pro Vice-Chancellor, said: "Our marine research has now achieved
world-class recognition and status, and through our links to
enterprise and business we are in a privileged position to be able
to grow the knowledge economy of the South West.
“With building work set to get under way on the marine facility,
and the launch this month of a new marine research vessel – also
part funded by the RDA – these are exciting times for Plymouth
which we hope will further underpin its maritime heritage.”
Designed to cement Plymouth’s position as a global centre of
excellence for science, innovation and marine energy research, the
Plymouth Science and Innovation Programme includes putting in place
new facilities and a city-wide strategy aimed at creating jobs,
businesses and economic success from science and innovation related
activities in marine renewables, engineering, marine science and
other technologies.
The RDA has previously announced £1.2 million funding for the
marine building’s wave tank as part of the Agency’s three-year £7.3
million investment in the Peninsula Research Institute for Marine
Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE), led by the Universities of Plymouth and
Exeter. The PRIMaRE funding also included £235,000 towards the
University of Plymouth Marine Institute’s new high-tech research
vessel, the RV Falcon Spirit, which was launched on July 3.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The South West RDA works for and promotes a modern, stronger and
more resilient economy across South West England. Our work involves
creating better jobs, successful businesses, more prosperous
cities, towns and villages within an economy that uses less carbon
and will still be thriving in 20, 50 and 100 years time.
PRIMaRE is a £12.6 million project set up two years ago by the
Universities of Plymouth and Exeter, with funding from the South
West RDA. It boasts 15 world-class academic staff and 60
researchers dedicated to the support and development of the marine
renewable energy sector. PRIMaRE, and the wave tank facility,
support and complement the South West RDA's pioneering £42 million
Wave Hub project, which will create the world's largest wave energy
test site 10 miles of the Cornish coast and will be commissioned
next year.
About the University of Plymouth
Consistently ranked one of the top modern universities in the
UK, Plymouth has a strong record of excellence, enterprise and
innovation across its teaching and research activities and is
distinguished by its long-term engagement with employers.
With around 30,000 students, including those studying at its
partner FE colleges throughout the South West, the university is
one of largest in the UK. With four government-funded Centres for
Excellence in Teaching & Learning, the maximum awarded to any
single institution, the university enjoys a high rate of graduate
employment and has recently invested more than £110 million in
state-of-the-art facilities to enhance the student experience.
Plymouth is ranked in the top 50 research universities in the
UK*. The results of the Research Assessment Exercise 2008 showed
the majority of areas submitted by the university included
world-leading research, achieving the highest rating possible,
scoring 4 stars. Overall, 80% of the research was judged as being
of international repute.
As the enterprise university, the University of Plymouth
delivers outstanding economic, social and cultural return for
business, the professions, the public sector and its wider
community. For further information go to www.plymouth.ac.uk
Contact:
John Casey
Deborah Clark Associates
01208 77900
john.casey@dca-pr.co.uk