Public to get say on £75m Space Park
The public is being invited to help shape the future of space development in Leicester.
A consultation session is being held on Thursday 7 June, between 3pm and 7:30pm, for Space Park Leicester – a science park focused on the space and space-enabled industries.
The University of Leicester is working with Leicester City Council, Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and the National Space Centre on the plans which will support the Government’s strategy to bring £40bn from the space market to the UK, creating a global hub combining research, teaching and innovation.
Space Park Leicester will carry out research in Space and Earth Observation, provide training for the space scientists of the future and contribute to growth in the national space economy. This project has been developed as part of a plan to further enhance Leicester’s growing reputation as a world-leading hub for research in space-related industries. When completed, the estimated benefits to the regional economy are £850m and 2,500 jobs.
Following the consultation, a planning application is expected to be submitted this summer.
Space Park Leicester, to be located on the site of the former John Ellis School on Leicester’s Waterside, is being led by the University of Leicester, working with Leicester City Council, Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and the National Space Centre.
The planning application will establish the overall vision for the development of the 3.8-hectare site, but also include more detailed plans for the first building to be constructed.
Subject to planning approval, construction of the Phase 1 building will start in early 2019. This will include collaboration space, teaching and learning spaces, laboratories, as well as a café located in a bright and airy atrium space.
Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I am confident that Space Park Leicester will be a major asset to the city and Leicester’s Waterside and it will help to regenerate this currently unused site.
“This is a huge opportunity to make Leicester the UK capital of space-related research, innovation and skills development.
“By working closely with the University, LLEP and the National Space Centre, we can realise this ambition and attract more investment, research activity and high value jobs to Leicester.”
Professor Martin Barstow, University of Leicester pro-vice chancellor for strategic science projects, added: “Space Park Leicester will be a world-leading space research and innovation facility, helping to train the space scientists of the future and contributing to economic growth in the region and nationally. As part of this upcoming consultation, we’re looking forward to sharing our plans with local people and taking on board their views about how they would like to see Space Park Leicester develop.”
