- Keele University has reached agreement with Helical Governetz to develop a major new Public Sector initiative; The Government Hub for the West Midlands.
- Agency's £8.3 million boost for Keele University and its Science Park
- PLANNING APPROVAL FOR EXPANSION OF KEELE UNIVERSITY AND SCIENCE PARK
- University Development Project Gets Underway
Keele University has reached agreement with Helical Governetz to develop a major new Public Sector initiative; The Government Hub for the West Midlands.
17/04/2009 10:25:31“Project Keele”, as it is being known, intends to become the epicentre of Government activity in the West Midlands. It will also have the ability to absorb major relocations from Westminster and Whitehall which are currently taking place under the Lyons Relocation programme.
The Public/ Private partnership is developing on part of a £73 million, 70-acre development site at Keele. This is in light of a series of major requirements for the UK Public Sector to radically transform through; efficiency savings, environmental sustainability and co-location in the regions to form a more citizen-friendly joined-up version of government as we know it.
In light of increased concern over climate change, the buildings would have BREEAM “excellent” facilities of energy efficiency and sustainability. Whilst the identification process is at an early stage, it is a huge boost for Keele and North Staffordshire that Helical Governetz has selected the area for one of its strategically located government campuses.
Successful development of this type would complement the University’s objectives with regard to regeneration in North Staffordshire and would provide further opportunities for the University in training and short-course provision. It is envisaged that such a development could deliver some 1,000/1,500 jobs directly and indirectly into the local economy.
Professor Janet Finch, Vice Chancellor of Keele University, said: “It is excellent news that Helical Governetz has identified Keele as a possible site for a Government office or agency re-location. Discussions are at an early stage but any such re-location would be vital, not only for Keele University, as we seek to establish ourselves as the Ultimate Campus University for the 21st Century, but also in contributing to a sustainable economic future for Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire”.
David Werran, expert in government relocations and now Director at Helical Governetz commented further: “This latest government relocation programme isn’t about shifting posts from London to haphazard parts of the UK. It is a long term, sustainable movement of government activity to the regions, joining up with local government services and above all delivering value of money to the taxpayer.
In our view the Keele site has potential to provide the blueprint for the 21st Century public sector. From the perspective of a civil servant under instruction to relocate posts, it ticks all the right boxes; a modern, flexible and green office space, an exceptional recruitment pool and with an enviable quality of life in the surrounding area to settle in”.
Gallowstree Lane Roundabout