Bruntwood SciTech plots 200,000 sq ft Alderley Park expansion
An outline planning application for the lab and office development is set to be submitted to Cheshire East Council following a consultation.
Bruntwood SciTech, a 50:50 joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General, wants to deliver 200,000 sq ft of workspace across two buildings.
Subject to planning approval, the proposals will support the development of Alderley Park as a world-leading science and technology campus, according to the developer.
Bridge Architects and Fairhursts Design Group are the architects for the scheme, while Planit-IE is advising on public realm. Avison Young is the planning consultant.
The latest phase of work at Alderley Park forms part of Bruntwood SciTech’s £247m investment in the 400-acre scheme, previously home to pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca. Bruntwood acquired the site for around £40m in 2014.
Alderley Park is home to a growing number of life science and tech firms including Cancer Research UK and SAP. The 150,000 sq ft, £30m, Glasshouse was the last element of Alderley Park to complete.
Sam Darby, head of development at Bruntwood SciTech said: “Since purchasing the park back in 2014, we have transformed it from a single-occupier site to a dynamic place now home to a vibrant community where people can work, innovate, live and relax.
“Innovation and community are at the heart of Alderley Park and the proposed new developments embody these concepts coming together to enable the prosperity of the park.”
While Bruntwood presses on with the delivery of more lab and office space at Alderley Park, the company has sold a five-acre plot to Symphony Park, a retirement living developer headed up by directors of Vita Group.
Symphony Park plans to deliver a 160-apartment development on the plot. Meanwhile, Bruntwood plans to reinvest the money from the land sale into Alderley Park.
Trevor Moore, chief executive of Symphony Park said: “We’re really excited to support the development of Alderley Park. There is a recognised need for quality senior living in East Cheshire, and particularly in the Alderley Edge area.
“We believe our bespoke and high-quality offer will add further variety to the growing community at Alderley Park, and free-up much-needed family housing elsewhere in the local area.”
Nowhere better in the north west to work
By Cal
Wow, this is fantastic. No doubt a few locals will be upset because it will take 30 seconds extra to drive their Range Rovers into Alderley Edge. What is does do however is bring significant employment into the Cheshire East area and continues AZ’s legacy at Alderley Park. Furthermore how many young scientists will look to relocate into the surrounding towns and villages. Great stuff.
By D Roberts