Work has begun on a science park next to the National Space Centre that will create 1,000 jobs, along with riverside housing and a commercial development.

 

The start of works at Abbey Meadows West was marked with an event at the National Space Centre. Developers Ingleby – a joint venture between William Davis and the Sowden group - recently signed a deal with East Midlands Development Agency (emda), which enabled work to begin on site.

 

Leicester Regeneration Company’s chairman, Neil Morris, and chief executive, John Nicholls, were joined by Guy Higgins of developers Ingleby, emda board member Gary Hunt, emda’s Head of Property Brian Goddard, Council Leader Ross Willmott and other guests to celebrate the start of work on site.

 

The £60 million development will include a hi-tech science park, offices, and a car showroom, and create more than 1,000 jobs. The science park aims to help retain graduates from the city’s two universities, by creating new jobs in science-based businesses.

 

Developers Ingleby have started work on a new road linking Exploration Drive and the A6 to serve the development, which is between Abbey Lane and the National Space Centre. Work will start this summer on a car showroom and an office park, and housing will follow.

 

Nearly seven acres, owned by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) will be utilised as sites for science companies wishing to move to Leicester. Interest from potential occupants is already strong.

 

Emda and Ingleby are jointly funding the access road, and Leicester Regenration Company helped broker the deal. The development is a key part of Leicester Regeneration Company’s Masterplan, and forms part of one of the five key areas of regeneration in the city.

Leicester City Council invested £7 million in moving a waste depot from the site to make way for the development.

 

Guy Higgins of Ingleby said: “We can already report strong occupier interest in the office units and work on the car showroom for Audi will be starting on site shortly. The whole scheme has a very positive feel and we are sure it will be a great success.”

 

Neil Morris, chairman of Leicester Regeneration Company said: “This is another big milestone in the regeneration of the city. It will bring new types of jobs to the city and enable us to offer something that will make graduates want to stay in our city.”

 

Gary Hunt emda’s board member and champion for land and development said: “It is good to see the partners coming together to celebrate the start of this significant regeneration development. The scheme certainly complements the vision for the East Midlands to become a flourishing region by 2020, by creating high quality jobs and redeveloping brownfield land.”

 

Cllr Ross Willmott, Leader of Leicester City Council, said: "I am delighted that the £7million the council invested in moving the waste depot has paved the way for the Science Park. The Science Park is the fourth piece in the Masterplan jigsaw to come into place and brings with it the prospects of many jobs and prosperity."