A science park has started preparing its site for potential future projects, undertaking five weeks of site clearance to ready the area for new buildings and facilities.
M-SParc by Bangor University has had outline planning since 2016 to develop six extra plots and have since successfully applied to have that permission renewed for seven years with restrictions altered, allowing greater flexibility for any potential future developments to make the best possible use of the site.
Over 13,000 tonnes of spoil – comprised of material that was brought up during construction of the original M-SParc building – is being removed from the north of the site over the coming weeks, and will further ready the site for future development.
READ MORE: Pregnant Welsh mum sets up business while isolated in hospital due to coronavirus rules
One exciting project proposal is for a facility called Egni that’s part of the Low Carbon Energy Centre of Excellence proposed in the North Wales Growth Deal.
The North Wales Growth Deal was given the green light by Welsh and 海角视频 Governments in December 2020, helping to create thousands of jobs in the future and giving the region’s economy a multi-billion-pound boost.
Egni would become home to the 海角视频’s best low carbon businesses, researchers and engineers, fostering collaboration and allowing north Wales to lead innovation in the sector. Work is currently underway on developing the business case for the new facility at M-SParc.
Ahead of the site clearance work getting underway, Pryderi ap Rhisiart, Menai Science Park Managing Director said: “M-SParc has lived up to the billing as a facility supporting innovation and projects across north Wales, including over 40 tenant companies, supporting almost 200 careers.
Most Read
"We’re very proud of the work we have undertaken over the past three years, creating fantastic careers paying far more than the national average, helping to address the digital skills gap by launching a Skills Academy, working in a range of exciting sectors from low carbon to AgriTech and diversifying the region’s economy.
“This work being carried out on our site is an important step to ensure that future facilities that are in the best interests of the local community can develop here in the region, meaning these fantastic projects don’t have to move across the border and take their opportunities with them.
"We’re very pleased to be working with a local company, OBR Construction from Talwrn, to complete the work. The North Wales Growth Deal identifies one possible expansion, which we’re working on in partnership with Bangor University, but there will be others who want to come to north Wales to develop their projects following the success of M-SParc.
Get business news direct to your inbox
There's no better time to stay up to date with economic and business news from your region. By signing up for our daily newsletters, email breaking news alerts and weekly round-ups from all the major sectors, you get our journalism direct by email. To sign up, find out more and see all of our newsletters, follow the link here
"This site clearance work will help make our site a prime candidate to house those developments, should they be appropriate to local need.”
Ynys Môn’s Member of Welsh Parliament and Chair of the Cross-Party Group for Digital in Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth, added: “Phase One of Menai Science Park has already been a big success, with the iconic building becoming home to an ever-growing number of innovative enterprises.
“But this is just the beginning, and I Iook forward to seeing the M-SParc team provide more opportunities to create top-quality jobs locally, on the park itself and potentially elsewhere on the island, too.”