£15m nuclear research facility moves step closer
Derby’s bid to establish a world-beating advanced manufacturing research centre took a step closer on Wednesday evening (November 11), when the city council approved plans to deliver the new facility with its partners Nuclear AMRC, University of Derby and developer IPD.
The new Manufacturing Research Centre (MRC) at Infinity Park Derby is expected to create up to 70 jobs. It will be operated by the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), part of the national High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which helps companies develop new techniques and processes to win work in the nuclear sector and tackle manufacturing challenges in automotive, rail, aerospace renewable energy and other high-value sectors.
The decision has given Derby City Council and its partners the green light to progress plans for the £15m initiative. The next stage will see a planning application submitted in February next year, with work on site expected to begin in August 2021.
The move follows a successful pilot project run over the past 18 months and is expected to see a new partnership formed to help businesses in the region boost employment through innovation.
It will also become a base for the University of Derby’s Institute of Innovation in Sustainable Engineering, which has developed an international reputation for innovation in design, manufacturing, product lifecycle management and application of new and smart materials.
Once built and occupied, the facility is expected to add £52m to the local Derby economy (Gross Value Added) across a five-year period.
It is anticipated that the facility will engage with 100 businesses leading to 50 medium term interventions and then around 35 significant collaborations over the next five years.
Councillor Matthew Holmes, Derby City Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “We’ve reached another key milestone for this fantastic project and we can continue to build on the progress into the New Year.
“It’s great news for Derby’s SME businesses and we anticipate that this will propel further Infinity Park Derby as the manufacturing destination of choice. Having a world-class research facility on our doorstep is a huge boost for the city and supports our drive to emerge stronger in our economic recovery.”
Andrew Storer, chief executive officer of the Nuclear AMRC, said: “I am delighted to move a step closer to creating a new permanent home for Nuclear AMRC Midlands, and work more closely with local industry and academic partners as the first HVM Catapult facility in the East Midlands. There will be huge opportunities for the region’s manufacturers as the UK moves to net-zero emissions by 2050, and we will work closely with companies of all sizes to help them join the supply chains for small modular reactors, fusion power and hydrogen generation.
“The new facility will also allow us to work with companies in other sectors such as aerospace and rail to help them overcome the manufacturing challenges in their core markets, and share world-leading innovation and best practice to support long-term sustainable growth.”
The new facility has been in principle allocated just over £9m of funding by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, including £6.85m from its Getting Building Fund and £2.2m from its Growing Places Fund.
The final allocation of funds is subject to the approval of a full business case by the D2N2 LEP.
