Green Light Granted for Growth

Swale Borough Council has given Kent Science Park the green light to go for growth after it granted permission to extend the Sittingbourne-based development and create room for a further 500 much-needed new jobs.

The investment, worth in the region of £15-20m over the next five years, will see the Park extended by four hectares (10 acres) from its current 22 to 26 hectares. The decision also gives LaSalle Investment Management, the Park’s managers, the green light to develop up to 12,000m2 (129,170ft2) of business floorspace, as well as a further two Technology Units.

Having listened to the concerns of local residents and by working closely with the Council and Kent Highway Services, Kent Science Park has drawn up plans to make road changes to Ruins Barn Road and the crossroads with Cromers Road and Tunstall Road, to improve road safety by reducing vehicle speed.  An interactive electronic 30mph sign will also be installed and the 30mph limit will be moved and positioned alongside a ‘gateway’ feature to better demarcate the start of the residential area for drivers.

With 1,125 people already working for the 70 companies on site, the Park’s management believe that more than 1,600 people will be employed there within five years.

Welcoming the Council’s decision, James Speck, Site Director at Kent Science Park, said: “This is great news and a decision which is consistent with the Borough’s ambitions to diversify its economy. It will help us to attract the industries and jobs that will enable Swale once again to punch above its weight within the South East.

“The Councillors have recognised that, with more than 56% of the Park’s employees living in Swale, the Park is already a major contributor to the local economy and are now committed to seeing it grow.”

Key elements of the planning decision include permission for Ecologia, the environmental consultancy and specialist remediation company, to develop a new international headquarters building to assist in its commercial growth.

The decision to approve the four hectare extension was passed by 11 votes to two and the application to develop the Technology Units was also approved and passed unanimously by 12 votes.

Paul Wookey, Chief Executive of Locate in Kent, said: “Kent Science Park is an important asset to the county, encouraging knowledge-based companies and skilled staff to locate to Kent.

“Many companies at Kent Science Park have started and grown there, and the news that the site’s expansion plans have been approved means the area will have even more to offer science and technology companies in the UK and overseas.”