14 July 2016

A landmark decision to build a multi million-pound Engineering and Technology Park on the University of Chichester's Bognor Regis Campus, providing opportunities for thousands of young people, has been approved by councillors.

Coast to Capital LEP has supported the project by contributing £8m of funding and planning permission was granted unanimously by Arun District Council Planning Committee on Wednesday. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clive Behagg said: "The University's Engineering and Digital Technology Park will produce the engineering and scientific skills that the UK economy needs, particularly at a time when Brexit gives an even greater emphasis on the need for our economy to be internationally and industrially competitive. I have been overwhelmed and deeply touched by the support for our project that we have received from the local community. Because - this is not simply a building. It is also a social and economic development-project that will link schools, colleges, local authorities and businesses to increase the aspirations and opportunities for our young people."

 

Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive, Coast to Capital LEP said: "It's great news that Arun District Council Planning Committee has given planning permission for the new Technology Park in Bognor Regis. This is a fantastic opportunity for the region. Not only has it been estimated that it will boost the local town economy by an extra £5m, but more importantly it means that employers in the area will soon be able to gain access to young people with the right skills in the local labour market."

The University aims to start construction in the summer for the build to be completed by early 2018. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Seamus Higson commented: "The Park will provide cutting-edge skills to a new generation of young people. We have received support from Rolls Royce Motor Cars, URT Group, Solartron, Inpress Plastics, Sony and Toshiba Medical and many other small and medium-sized enterprises in Bognor Regis and the surrounding areas, all of whom have a STEM skills shortage. We already have committed support from industry to move their business into the Park."

 

Councillor Mrs Gillian Brown, Leader of Arun District Council and Cabinet Member for Council Strategy, said: "The Council is looking forward to the economic benefits the new Engineering and Digital Technology Park will bring to Bognor Regis with the additional students that this new Park will attract.I welcome the investment by the University of Chichester which will give support to both small and medium sized businesses in Bognor Regis. This will have a significant impact on the town's regeneration and local economy.It is estimated that there will be £12.4million spent a year by students in the town by 2023/24. Furthermore, 350 additional jobs will be created by 2023 which is positive news for the area. I very much hope the students using this fantastic new building will continue to live and work in the Arun District after they have graduated from the University of Chichester."

 

The Park will include a Department of Engineering and Applied Design to offer a practical project-orientated engineering workshop, fabrication laboratory, specialist 3D printers, and hands-on educations spaces for the schools and colleges. As well as a Department of Creative and Digital Technologies with specialist facilities including a 300 square-metre television production studio, with auxiliary 100sqm special effects room, and a 400sqm media operation centre. The additional students will be accommodated in new halls of residence located at the Bognor Regis campus which also gained planning permission last night.

 

15 July 2016

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