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Leicester’s Science and Innovation Park is a step closer after the demolition of an old school on the site. Leicester Regeneration Company’s chief executive John Nicholls and development director, Steve Compton were joined by representatives from emda, Leicester City Council, De Montfort University, Leicester University and the National Space Centre to mark the demolition of John Ellis School. The nine-acre site is in the shadow of the National Space Centre, off Abbey Lane. Leicester City Council owns the land and is clearing it with financial support from east midlands development agency (emda). The project is a key part of the masterplan for the regeneration of central Leicester. The aim is to make science and technology a bigger part of Leicester’s economy, forging links with the world-class science at the two Universities and encouraging graduates to stay in the city. Over 1,500 jobs are planned on the school site and on other vacant land near the National Space Centre.
Outline planning permission has already been granted for 120,000 square feet of units on the school site, which will be developed with the support of the city’s two universities. The units will provide purpose-built research, development and production facilities to accommodate hi-tech businesses, including those ‘spun’ out of university research. Leicester City Council, which owns the site, is working with Leicester Regeneration Company to select a development partner to design and develop the project. Tenders were received before Easter, and it is hoped that a decision in June will enable a site start later this year. Professor William Brammar, pro-vice-chancellor of the University of Leicester, commented: “The Science and Innovation Park is an exciting and crucially important project for the regeneration of Leicester, promising to create jobs and improve the city’s landscape. Both the city’s universities are involved and enthusiastically support the project.” Richard Tobias, emda’s land and property development manager said: "The demolition of the former John Ellis School is an important stage in the plan to develop the Science and Innovation Park within the Abbey Meadows area of Leicester. The clearance of the site creates an opportunity to develop an incubator centre to encourage high-growth technology related enterprises to settle in the East Midlands, which will help to create a flourishing region. “We look forward to continuing our work with our project partners - Leicester City Council and Leicester Regeneration Company over the coming months to promote the site's redevelopment." Demolition of the school is being carried out by Controlled Demolition Group Limited and is expected to take several weeks. For further media information Picture Caption(Left to Right): |
