Alderley Park scheme to create 1,600 jobs

A scheme which could accommodate up to 1,600 new science and tech jobs has been submitted for planning approval.

Bruntwood SciTech, a 50:50 joint venture between Manchester-based property group Bruntwood and Legal & General, has submitted the application to deliver two new buildings for lab and office space at Alderley Park, Cheshire, totalling around 200,000 sq ft.

Subject to planning permission, 100,000 sq ft of new lab space will be created.

Spanning five floors, it will be suitable for both chemistry and biology uses, as well as associated write-up space. Meanwhile, the new office building will provide 100,000 sq ft of workspace across six floors, offering coworking, serviced, leased, and made and managed spaces to create a collaborative environment where tech and innovative businesses can colocate together.

The new developments will be suitable for life sciences, technology and healthcare companies, particularly those working in drug discovery and development, diagnostics, digital health and AI sectors.

In addition to the ongoing £247m investment, which has seen a complete redevelopment of the park, this will be the first newly-built commercial space to be delivered since acquiring the site in 2014. The new office building will include flexible meeting rooms, lounge areas, an impressive outdoor terrace and a hospitality offering, providing new amenities for all of the Alderley Park community.

Also, Bruntwood SciTech has submitted a planning application for new residential accommodation aimed at key workers. This includes the redevelopment of a former office building into 109 new housing units, comprising a mix of studios and one-bed apartments.

The accommodation will be suitable for young graduates working in the life sciences and technology sectors on the campus, with a number of homes being available at around 80% of market rent. The proceeds raised following the sale of residential plots at Alderley Park will be reinvested into the new developments, which will further provide market leading lab and office space in the North of England.

The ambitious plans will support the development of the UK’s largest single-site campus, which is already home to more than 250 companies, and will accommodate up to 1,600 new life science and tech jobs in the region. Companies occupying the space will also have access to a range of specialist business support including access to finance and funds and one-to-one support to help grow their business.

Dr Kath Mackay, director of life sciences, Bruntwood SciTech, said: “The life sciences sector has seen major growth in the UK over the last decade, with the UK now seeing a significant lack of available lab space, which has the potential to hamper further growth if supply is not boosted.

“It is vital that we play our role in supporting investment into specialist infrastructure – unlocking growth to meet this growing demand, and keeping knowledge and innovation within the UK – which is what we are doing at Alderley Park and at our other life science campuses across the UK’s regions.”

Bruntwood SciTech’s development team consists of Avison Young, Bridge Architects, Fairhurst Design Group, Leach Rhodes Walker, Buro Happold, Booth King, RBA and Planit-IE.