Plans for a new life science incubator have taken a step forward this week with the approval of planning permission for the scheme by Nottingham City Council.
The planned five-storey, 50,000 sq ft building, next to the Biocity complex, would create up to 200 jobs.
The new building will go through approval processes by the City Council before construction begins, which is anticipated to start in Spring 2015.
The new incubator facility would be developed by Nottingham City Council with £6.5m funding from the Local Growth Fund.
Initial designs for the building have been developed by Willmott Dixon, whilst Nottingham practice CPMG has been appointed as architects on the scheme.
Nick Heath, operations director at Willmott Dixon in the East Midlands, said: “We are pleased that this project is moving forward.
“The new building will feature a number of state-of-the-art biology and chemistry laboratories in a range of sizes, as well as ancillary space for commercial lease to both start-up and as well as ancillary space for commercial lease to both start-up and existing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the sector.”
Hugh Avison, group director at CPMG, said: “Nottingham is already well known for its science expertise – being the home of Ibruprofen and the MRI scanner.
“The area is highlighted for major future development as the Eastside Regeneration Zone; we are immensely proud to be designing the first building as part of this, which we are sure will act as a catalyst for further development.”
Gleeds has been appointed as project and cost manager for the scheme. Anthony Cork, director for Gleeds in Nottingham, said: “We’re delighted the scheme got the green light from the planning committee, and that Nottingham is a step closer to securing another development that will encourage business and investment into the city.”
