Plans submitted for ambitious new life science and tech developments at Alderley Park

• Following extensive public consultation, plans for the next phase of Alderley Park’s masterplan development have now been submitted

• Plans set to deliver two new buildings for lab and office space, totalling around 200,000 sq ft

• New space will accommodate up to 1,600 new science and tech jobs in the region

Bruntwood SciTech - a 50:50 joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General - has submitted a planning application to deliver two new buildings for lab and office space at Alderley Park, Cheshire, totalling around 200,000 sq ft.

Subject to planning permission, 100,000 sq ft of new world-leading CL2 lab space will be created. Spanning five floors, it will be suitable for both chemistry and biology uses, as well as associated write-up space. Meanwhile, the new office building will provide 100,000 sq ft of dynamic and innovative workspace across six floors, offering coworking, serviced, leased, and made and managed spaces to create a collaborative environment where tech and innovative businesses can colocate together.

The new developments will be suitable for life sciences, technology and healthcare companies, particularly those working in drug discovery and development, diagnostics, digital health and AI sectors.

In addition to the ongoing £247m investment, which has seen a complete redevelopment of the Park, this will be the first newly built commercial space to be delivered since acquiring the site in 2014. The new office building will include flexible meeting rooms, lounge areas, an impressive outdoor terrace and a hospitality offering, providing new amenities for all of the Alderley Park community.

The ambitious plans will support the development of the UK’s largest single-site campus, which is already home to over 250 companies, and will accommodate up to 1,600 new life science and tech jobs in the region. Companies occupying the space will also have access to a range of specialist business support including access to finance and funds and one-to-one support to help grow their business.

Externally, the new scheme includes plans to incorporate an area of extensive public realm designed to inspire. It will include landscaped gardens and breakout areas that will be accessible and inclusive, designed to encourage collaboration.    

Dr Kath Mackay, Director of Life Sciences, Bruntwood SciTech said: “The life sciences sector has seen major growth in the UK over the last decade, with the UK now seeing a significant lack of available lab space, which has the potential to hamper further growth if supply is not boosted. It is vital that we play our role in supporting investment into specialist infrastructure - unlocking growth to meet this growing demand, and keeping knowledge and innovation within the UK - which is what we are doing at Alderley Park and at our other life science campuses across the UK’s regions.

“At Alderley Park, we are committed to providing best-in-class life sciences facilities and these new plans are the next step in that journey. We will continue to support science and technology businesses across the UK and internationally, providing a global home for innovation and collaboration.” 

Wes Erlam, Managing Director of Urban Regeneration at Legal & General Capital, said: "Through our Bruntwood SciTech partnership, Legal & General is continuing to put society’s pension money to work to foster and fund innovation. As the UK’s largest single site life science campus, Alderley Park is a major driver of ground-breaking research and its expansion will further cement the UK as a leader in this space, creating thousands of new jobs and delivering against increasing demand for top quality facilities. As a business, Legal & General has now committed £3.2bn towards life science and tech focussed innovation space and remains committed to the continued growth of this important sector.”

Additionally, Bruntwood SciTech has submitted planning permission for new residential accommodation aimed at key workers. This includes the redevelopment of a former office building into 109 new housing units, comprising a mix of studios and one-bed apartments. The accommodation will be suitable for young graduates working in the life sciences and technology sectors on the campus, with a number of homes being available at circa 80% of market rent.

The proceeds raised following the sale of residential plots at Alderley Park will be reinvested into the new developments, which will further provide market-leading lab and office space in the North of England. 

Bruntwood SciTech’s development team consists of Avison Young, Bridge Architects, Fairhurst Design Group, Leach Rhodes Walker, Buro Happold, Booth King, RBA and Planit-IE.