Community Consultation Event for Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus
Aberystwyth University and AIEC Limited are preparing to submit a detailed planning application later in 2016 for the new Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus (AIEC), and will be hosting a Community Consultation Event at Penrhyncoch Village Hall on the 18th of October.
The event will provide an opportunity for any interested parties to learn more about the proposed improvements to the existing Gogerddan campus. The evening will begin with a public drop-in session from 5.30pm, followed by a presentation of the AIEC proposals at 7pm.
Based on the outskirts of Aberystwyth at the University’s Gogerddan Campus, the AIEC will provide world leading facilities and the expertise to create market focused solutions for the agri-tech industry.
“The event has been organised to allow the local community the opportunity to engage directly with the AIEC project at the earliest possible stage. We look forward to sharing our exciting vision for the investment and present the proposed plans to make it a reality” said Huw Watkins, AIEC Project Director.
Proposed facilities will 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 accommodation. Whilst the new Innovation Campus will enhance the University’s capacity in the agri-tech sector, staff and student numbers at the Gogerddan site will be consistent with current University arrangements.
Andrew Teage, Associate at Cushman & Wakefield leads the consultant team providing planning guidance and advice for the project. Andrew will facilitate the consultation event, and along with colleagues will be on hand to answer questions related to the proposals and the planning application process itself.
The AIEC will drive economic growth in the region and beyond through the creation of high value jobs and thriving knowledge based companies. It will build on the existing capabilities already in existence within the University’s Institutes, working particularly closely with the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) to enhance the excellent research capabilities currently offered.
The AIEC is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh Government; the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and by Aberystwyth University.
