Principal Contractor appointed to build Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus
The Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus (AIEC) has taken a major step forward following the successful appointment of a Principal Contractor.
Wilmott Dixon Construction secured the Pre-Construction Service Agreement following a competitive procurement process. The company will bring a wealth of experience to the project having previously delivered other capital build projects for the scientific and educational sectors in Wales.
The Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus will provide world leading facilities and the expertise to create market focused solutions for the agri-tech industry. It has been funded from the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh Government; the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and Aberystwyth University.
Wilmott Dixon will work closely with the project design team over the next few months to further develop a detailed technical design for the new campus.
“Following a robust procurement process, I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Wilmott Dixon Construction as the Principal Contractor to build the AIEC development. The announcement represents a significant milestone for the project and brings us a step closer towards turning the vision into reality” said Huw Watkins, AIEC Project Director.
Speaking on behalf of Willmott Dixon Construction, Neal Stephens, managing director said, “We will work with the design team, using our experience and capabilities to provide the best solutions for the Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus and its world-class facilities to drive growth in the economy."
Proposed facilities at the AIEC include a Bio-refining Centre, Future Food Centre, Analytical Science laboratories and a Seed Processing and Biobank Facility.
It will also provide formal and informal meeting areas and office/laboratory accommodation for companies committed to innovate.
The AIEC will build on the existing capabilities within Aberystwyth University’s Institutes, working particularly closely with the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) to facilitate enhanced access to the excellent research capabilities currently offered as well as shaping future translational research priorities.
One of the existing buildings which will form part of the AIEC on the Gogerddan site has already been refurbished to a high standard and provides over 300m2 of rentable office accommodation to the business community.
The facility has been modernised to cater specifically for companies wishing to co-locate with leading researchers in the biosciences and agri-tech sectors.
Located at Gogerddan, the new development will provide a progressive environment to encourage business and academic collaboration to flourish and will offer a range of high quality facilities to support translational research and innovation, enabling commercial enterprises to grow, prosper and drive economic growth in Mid Wales and beyond.
A final planning application for the Campus has been submitted to Ceredigion County Council with a decision expected in the Spring of 2017. If planning permission is granted, construction is due to start mid-2017 and is expected to take two years to complete.
