There are proposals for expansion of the University and the Science Park onto a new development site to the east of the existing University and Science Park. Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has issued planning permission for this expansion. The proposals are for mixed-use development including academic functions; employment uses and staff and student housing and they form part of an integrated project to make Keele University the Ultimate Campus University for the 21st Century.
Campus Developments
Campus Developments
The proposals are for approximately 38 acres of land for the mixed-use development; and approximately 32 acres of land for open space, landscaping, roads and services. High quality, attractive and sustainable development is to be pursued in accord with guidance set out in the Design Brief for the site. All of the existing high quality, mature woodlands surrounding the site are to be retained as a backcloth to the development.
The intention is that the new development site will help to meet the University’s growth aspirations; be part of the University’s contribution towards the regeneration of North Staffordshire and build on the recent successful developments at the Science Park such as the Innovation Centres and the Medical Sciences Complex.
The North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership and Advantage West Midlands have approved funding of £9.5 million to provide the infrastructure for the new development site. The overall development of the site has a current estimated minimum cost of approximately £80 million, including contributions from Keele University and estimated contributions for the private sector.
Following a competitive tendering exercise, Wrekin Construction Company Limited was appointed to undertake the infrastructure works. These works started in July 2007 and were completed early summer 2008. It is hoped that built development will start in summer 2009 and that further mixed-use development will follow over the next 10 years. The overall development is expected to create at least 1,250 new jobs and 40 high-quality businesses.
The development of the new development site is overseen by Keele University Science and Business Park Limited. This is a wholly-University owned subsidiary company, which was formed in January 2005.
Facts and Figures
80 – the total cost of the project in millions
70 – the size of the site in acres
1,250 – new jobs to be created
40 – high quality businesses to be created
10 – the number of years over which the building will take place
9.5 – the cost of the on-site and off-site infrastructure works in millions, to be funded by Advantage West Midlands and the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone
38 – acres of land accommodating a mixed-use development of high-quality commercial buildings for knowledge-based companies, academic research facilities, a specialist conference centre and student residential accommodation.
32 – acres of land incorporating open space, landscaping, roads and services
32 - Contractors expressing interest in undertaking the infrastructure works
200,000 - Pounds to be spent on improving public transport links to local towns
3,500,000 - Estimated pounds to be spent on improving local roads and highway safety
3 - New Toucan crossings to be provided
5 - Organisations with ST postcode providing professional advice
1 - new permissive path linking the new development site to Thistleberry and the Westlands
1.5 – kilometres of new roads