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SPark case study
Project summary
The Bristol & Bath Science Park will be a new £300 million
science park at Emerson’s Green in Bristol. It will be one of the
largest new science parks to be developed in the UK and will offer
a state-of-the-art environment for science and technology
businesses.
The South West RDA has worked in partnership with three
universities (Bristol, Bath and UWE) and a private sector
development partner, Quantum, to develop the project, known as
SPark. South West RDA has committed a total of £40 million to the
£300 million project, making it the RDA’s largest single
investment.
In March 2010, it was announced that SPark will be home to the
UK’s National Composites Centre (NCC) – a brand new research
facility for composite materials.
Main messages
By attracting new businesses to the area, SPark will help to
achieve a sustainable economy in the region and will cement its
reputation as a leader in the aerospace, defence, digital
technologies and biotechnology industries
The new SPark will act as a catalyst for further research &
development work, creating more high tech jobs and boosting the
regional economy
SPark will replicate the success of science parks elsewhere in
the country and will demonstrate the benefits of clustering high
tech research companies close together to encourage knowledge
sharing
The facility will capitalise on the leading research facilities
of the three universities, the thriving commercial R&D sector
in the region and the UK's most qualified workforce outside
London.
Facts and figures
- The South West RDA has committed £40 million
- SPark will bring more than 6,000 skilled Research &
Development jobs in over 77,000 sq m (820,000 sq ft) of new
research facilities
- It is anticipated the construction of SPark will involve over
1,500 man-years of work
- The SPark One building will be 55,000 sq ft and will offer a
central hub facility
- The National Composites Centre will be located at SPark. Of
overall funding of more than £25 million, £16 million has come from
public funding, comprising £12m from the Department of Business,
Innovation and Skills, and £4m from the South West RDA
- AgustaWestland, GE, GKN, Rolls-Royce and Vestas have all signed
up to become National Composites Centre partners and
supporters.
Case study
After many years of discussion regarding the need for a science
park in the region, the South West RDA decided to drive the project
forward by buying the land for the development in 2003/04 at
Emerson’s Green on Bristol’s north fringe. The RDA invested £30
million securing the land and getting the project off the
ground.
SPark will offer a state-of-the-art environment for science and
technology businesses, including test-bed facilities, laboratories,
flexible office space and semi-industrial workspace.
Demand is expected to come from the established key sectors in
South West England including aerospace and defence, digital
technologies and biotechnology.
SPark is a partnership between the South West RDA and three
universities – the University of Bristol, University of Bath and
the University of the West of England – and will build on the first
class existing research and knowledge base in the area.
This area is already home to a cluster of world-leading science
and technology businesses that have made a significant contribution
to the region’s economy. SPark’s role will be to ensure their
continued growth as well as to support new and emerging businesses
to secure the region’s future competitiveness in the global
economy.
The RDA has experience of working with university and businesses
to develop science parks and incubation facilities across the
region including the Tamar Science Park in Plymouth, The Enterprise
Pavilion in Bournemouth and centres in Bristol, Bath, Swindon,
Devon and Cornwall.
In March 2010, the first occupier for SPark was announced – the
National Composites Centre. This is a brand new research facility
for composite materials, which are increasingly used to improve
efficiency in the aerospace, automotive and wind turbine
industries.
The 70,000 sq ft (6,500 sq m) building will be an independent,
open-access facility for the design and rapid manufacture of high
quality composite products. These light-weight, high performance
materials are key to cutting the environmental impact of industries
that have traditionally had high carbon emissions. The NCC will
help create the conditions to support long term growth in the low
carbon sector. The centre is due to be fully operational in
2011.
In February 2010, the RDA invested an additional £10 million in
the project which means that, subject to final contractual
agreements, the first phase can get underway, including the first
building, SPark One. This will offer a central hub facility,
business incubation and grow-on space, plus catering and conference
facilities.
Conclusion
The initial £30 million investment made by the RDA was
instrumental in securing this much-needed science park for the
region. The extra £10m Investment from South West RDA in February
2010 has kick-started the development and work began in spring 2010
on building roads and services for the whole science park.
Construction of the 55,000 sq ft SPark One building will get
underway in summer 2010.
Once finished, SPark will be one of the largest science parks in
the country offering a state-of-the-art environment for science and
technology businesses, creating thousands of jobs, providing a huge
economic boost to the region and securing the South West’s position
as an international leader in this sector.
Website: http://www.s-park.org.uk
Further information
Date case study written: April 2010
Theme: Future growth sectors
Contact: South West RDA press office by email
news.enquiries@southwestrda.org.uk or telephone 01392 229389
Other case
studies are available in our Resources section.