Berkeley Science and Technology Park

Site context

  • Most buildings have been identified as a health and safety risk and are not fit for occupation or renovation.  

  • The buildings that would be retained include C11, The Sabrina Centre, C35 and two nuclear inspection cells and an underground nuclear inspection pit.  

  • Our intention is to allow this to continue to operate on our site as long as it is possible to do so. However, the context of the ongoing redevelopment will mean this will need to be reviewed in the future, for instance when construction is taking place on site or if future occupiers require additional security requirements. We will continue to engage, update, and work with the local Parkrun organisers as the redevelopment progresses and seek opportunities to minimise impacts where we can.

  • A combined flood mitigation strategy for the site is being developed to assess and mitigate and flood risks. The primary source of flooding is tidal, which comes with advanced warning and preparations.

    There are opportunities for longer-term strategic discussions on flood management with the Environment Agency and stakeholders beyond this planning process.

Highways

  • The existing car park would be retained and continue to serve the redeveloped site.  

  • This would typically be dealt with post planning as part of a Planning Condition i.e a Construction Traffic Management Plan which will seek to route traffic to ensure that it avoids highly sensitive areas and at key times of the day e.g. school times. 

  • The application will be supported by a comprehensive Transport Assessment which will include a comprehensive sustainable mobility strategy to ensure that modal shift (away from the car) is encouraged and to ensure that the proposals are acceptable to all consultees including Active Travel England. 

  • Modelling is underway to establish highway effects and inform any required mitigation. Engagement is also currently taking place with National Highways, Stroud District, and Gloucestershire County Councils to inform this approach.

Local benefits

  • This proposal is a significant investment for the region which will create and support high skilled jobs and innovation together with substantial additional inward investment from future occupiers. The exact number of jobs will be informed by the future occupiers.

  • The proposal will deliver a wide range of local and national benefits. This includes:

    • Regeneration of an underutilised, previously developed (brownfield) site to create a world-renowned science and technology park.

    • Considered layout, with details to follow in future applications, which incorporates landscape enhancements and delivers Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – creating a positive environment for people to work, learn and innovate.

    • Supporting cutting-edge research into nuclear and clean energy technology, helping to
      meet critical climate goals.

    • Bringing substantial new investment and job opportunities to the region, creating
      significant economic benefits.

    • Fostering important connections between regional colleges and universities to inspire future leaders and support innovation.

    The proposals would also raise a significant amount of local community infrastructure and Section 106 funding, which can be used for a wide range of infrastructure including healthcare or highways improvements.

Have your say

Public consultation is now taking place to seek local feedback on the proposed development. To learn more, you can also join us at an in-person consultation event, where you can drop-in anytime between 2:30 – 7pm on Monday 7th July at Berkeley Science & Technology Park, GL13 9FB.