ARCHIVED news story
The future is brighter and better for Norwich Research Park
Released on 07 June 2007
I urge local people and anyone interested in this area to come along and play their part in shaping a brighter, better future for this world class Norwich Research Park
Councillor Derek Blake
South Norfolk Council is calling on local people to help it design and deliver a brighter and better future for an expanded Norwich Research Park.
A huge consultation with local people, businesses, parish and town councils and others is now under way to decide the direction of this world class centre of R and D businesses.
The 45 page development brief is published on the council's website and has detailed maps and diagrams of the 47 hectares earmarked for expansion. It includes a questions consultation, and there are dates and venues set aside for a number of public exhibitions, which are listed at the end of this release.
The development land is to the west of the main research park area, currently occupied by the UEA, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the John Innes Centre and the Institute of Food Research, and includes land at Colney Hall.
South Norfolk Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and the Built Environment, Councillor Derek Blake said:
"The future will increasingly be dominated by high technology projects across virtually everything we do.
"We have moved from a local economy dominated by agriculture and industry, essential though they remain, to a global appreciation that to stay ahead we must embrace continuous change via research and development.
"We are fortunate in having an enviable, highly successful and secure base to build on at our Norwich Research Park in beautiful surroundings in an ideal environment to both live and work.
"It is the expansion of this World Class facility that will sustain our future and secure much needed inward investment to our region."
The Council says the expansion of Norwich Research Park will:
- underpin the international presence of the area as a centre of excellence in research and training, particularly in biological, health and environmental sciences.
- become a magnet to indigenous companies and inward investment opportunities and significantly contribute to the local economy.
- be an exemplar for the sustainable development of research and development parks.
- embrace good, innovative design and contribute to the quality of life of local people, by improving local services and facilities.
- make a major contribution to tackling climate change by incorporating energy efficient design and techniques, offsetting carbon emissions and aspiring to carbon neutrality over the life-time of the development.
There will also be key improvements to local roads and access which takes in account the movements of local people, and future employees. The development transport and car access plan considers:
- a new junction on the B1108 at the foot of Colney Hall Drive. This will provide access to both the Colney Hall allocation (using the drive modified as required) and to a new Link Road.
- a new 6.5m wide Link Road connecting the new B1108 junction with Hethersett Lane.
- good quality pedestrian and cycle links within the Norwich Research Park extension and connections to the park and beyond. It could include a sustainable link between the UEA and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the Research Park.
- new bus services, including a new sustainable transport link to the Hospital from the west.
- closing the B1108/Hethersett Lane junction to car traffic.
- local road improvements to make them safer, including work on the B1108 and on Hethersett Lane.
Councillor Blake concluded:
"We are holding exhibitions to promote the Development Brief. Copies of the all the documents will be available to view and council planning officers will be there to answer your questions.
"I urge local people and anyone interested in this area to come along and play their part in shaping a brighter, better future for this world class Norwich Research Park."
The dates, venues and times of the council-run exhibitions:
- Tuesday, 5 June, 9am - 5pm, UEA, LCR Union House
- Wednesday, 6 June, 9am - 5pm, John Innes Conference Centre foyer
- Wednesday 13 June, 9am - 5pm, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, In-patients West & Centre Block reception
- Friday 15 June, 1pm - 7pm, Patteson Rooms, Cringleford
Related pages
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Communications Team |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | communicationsteam@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533611 or 01508 533983 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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