Advantage West Midland's Ansty Park development has been granted
planning permission for more high technology floorspace, taking the
total size of the new business park to 140,000 sqm.
The additional 40,000 sqm for technology businesses will create
more highly skilled jobs for the area and further enhance the
region's position as a hub of technology and innovation.
The 100 acre (40 hectare) Ansty Park site located adjacent to
junction 2 of the M6, is being transformed into a world class
research and development park by regional development agency
Advantage West Midlands. The site is owned by Advantage West
Midlands and the scheme is being developed in partnership with
Highbridge Properties plc together with Rugby Borough Council,
Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council.
Steve Holland, Head of Asset Management at Advantage West
Midlands, said: "The new planning permission is great news for
Ansty Park. The development will become one of the most
centrally located research and development parks in the country,
offering a golden opportunity for the region to secure its future
at the forefront of research & development."
Advantage West Midlands is investing around £44 million of
funding into remediation and highway infrastructure on and off-site
at Ansty Park, a project which will eventually create up to 7,000
jobs.
Anna Rose, Head of Planning & Culture at Rugby Borough
Council, said: "The new planning permission at Ansty has the
potential to create the most significant site for research and
development within the region. This represents a huge opportunity
for Rugby in terms of its role as the gateway to the West Midlands
and builds upon a reputation of economic success. The Council
looks forwards to continuing the good working relationship it has
built up with AWM."
With a total investment potential of around £500 million,
Ansty Park has already attracted major interest from regional,
national and international companies. Telecommunications
leader Ericsson will be the first occupant on the site later this
year, when Ansty Park will become home to its new research and
development centre and up to 850 staff.
In addition to attracting Ericsson to the site, the investment
has been the catalyst for securing the £120 million National
Manufacturing Technology Centre for the site by 2010.