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Science
Park News:
Bright Future for Science Park
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Southampton Science
Park has unveiled its aspirations for developing the
Chilworth and Benham Campuses over the next decade.
At the heart of the plan is the Park’s ethos of
balancing economic success with sensitivity to the
environment by constructing hi-tech buildings that
sit in harmony with their spacious parkland setting.
Test Valley Borough Council are drawing up their
Local Development Framework (LDF), which lays out a
strategy for the area and includes reference to the
extension of Southampton Science Park. The Science
Park itself has created a Strategic Development
Framework (SDF) whose main aim is to communicate the
full range of possible developments at the Park.
Broadly, the Science Park aims to refurbish some of
the older buildings and hopes to construct new units
in keeping with the character of the site. The
planned developments will be used for research and
development or occasional support services;
activities will be compliant with existing planning
restrictions. The SDF covers the building out of
sites with existing planning permission, development
of areas within the policy boundary of the existing
local plan and proposed areas for expansion through
the LDF.
RECENT IMPROVEMENTS
The most recent development on the Park was a
gym and leisure centre, created as an extension to
the facilities available at Chilworth Manor. It
opened in September 2007 and uptake of membership
has been strong. The gym is used by many people from
the local community as well as hotel guests and
those based within the Park.
THE NEXT PHASE OF DEVELOPMENTS
There are several areas within the Park that
require some updating. It is hoped that a
substantial refurbishment of the Engineering
Building will be carried out. This would involve
retaining the concrete frame and base of the
existing unit, and wrapping a new structure around
it. This will create a contemporary building that is
more in keeping with rest of the Science Park. The
site would also be landscaped, blending it in with
the rest of the Park and allowing people to stroll
the full length of Lime Tree Walk.
Planning Permission is about to be sought for a new
Management Headquarters and Incubator. This building
would provide a reception office at the front of the
Park which will be more obvious and accessible for
visitors. It is hoped that this would be a gateway
building that sets the tone for the Science Park: a
hi-tech building in a green parkland context, whose
design is sensitive to its proximity to the A27. It
would also provide further accommodation for small
companies, for which there is high demand.
There is also the possibility of a small, discreet
development within the Walled Garden. This would
maintain a sense of the historical context of the
Walled Garden which, although not listed, is an
attractive feature. This might take the form of a
courtyard development for small businesses.
It is hoped that a crèche may be built on the
Science Park. This would be available to Chilworth
residents as well as employees.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
There are several areas outside the boundary of
the Science Park that could be improved. One is
Jubilee Cottage, which it is hoped might house a
professional service such as a doctor or dentist.
Woodlands is an existing area of unmanaged woodland,
close to the Science Park entrance. It was
previously the site of a large dwelling that has
since been demolished. The area is protected by Tree
Preservation Orders, but much of the woodland is in
poor condition and requires management in order to
restore it. A secluded office or lab could be
constructed on the site of the original dwelling,
with the woodland providing a screen.
The Science Park has planning permission for several
new office/labs at Benham Campus and an access road
is being built to join the existing Park to this
site. (Please see below for further details.) In
addition, it is hoped that an extra building could
be developed in an adjacent site (Benham 2),
benefiting from the services and infrastructure for
Benham 1. This unit would be closer to the motorway
but would be screened from the road by woodland.
MAINTAINING THE SCIENCE PARK’S ETHOS
By developing a blueprint for future
development, the Science Park aims to help everyone
understand its potential plans. Underlying all of
these development ideas is the Science Park’s ethos
of creating attractive,
hi-tech buildings that sit in harmony with their
beautiful parkland context. Maintaining this balance
is central to the Science Park’s plans.
If you’d like to know more about the Science Park
please contact us on
023 8076 7420. |
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email:
enquiries@science-park.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 23 8076 7420
Fax: +44 (0) 23 8076 6190
The University of
Southampton Science Park Limited, 2 Venture Road,
Chilworth, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 7NP, UK |
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