New Arrivals Centre Technology Units Four Hectare Expansion New Headquarters

Rationale:

Kent Science Park’s confidence in securing a greater number of science and technology jobs for the county will lead to the submission of a detailed planning application to construct two Tech Units for knowledge-based businesses.  This application follows a rejection for two Tech Buildings in January 2008.

The new application follows the recent completion of 22,600ft² of Tech Units designed to be home to new technology tenants.

Leases on two of the four units have already been agreed with an existing science-based tenant: Thermoelectric, and a new arrival. T space for both companies is currently being fitted out ready for occupation.

Purpose:

To provide modern business space for companies engaged in science and knowledge-based industries.

Site and location:

An application is to be made with Swale Borough Council for the development of two new Tech Units, one of 2,323m2 (25,000ft²) and a further one of about 929m2 (10,000ft²) of commercial property to provide specialist accommodation for new technology tenants, as well as accommodating the expansion needs of existing knowledge-based businesses on site. The site is located on the only undeveloped plot within the existing Science Park that is enclosed by the existing security fence.

In environmental terms, the site is flat and down to rough grassland. It has no physical features of interest and no landscape, cultural, ecological or historic value.

Adjacent to the proposed site for the new buildings is Building 730, home to the recently opened Kent Science Resource Centre and planned Bio Accelerator designed to nurture and speed up the growth of biotech companies. 

The new buildings will also be close to the operations of Harada, the European headquarters of the Japanese company involved in research and development in radio wave technologies.

Design and sustainability: Both new buildings will be of contemporary design with nearby car parking and fitted out to meet the special needs of individual tenant companies. The design of the proposed new building has been audited by sustainability consultants and it is anticipated that the final construction will achieve a ‘good’ BREEAM rating, which assesses its environmental performance.

Jobs:

The two units when finished and ready for occupation would be home to approximately 100 employees.

Investment:

The plans if approved which see a further investment of £2.75m at Kent Science Park.

Timetable:

If the application is granted approval, construction is expected to begin straightway with a view to them being handed over to Kent Science Park nine months after work begins.