Proposals for a sprawling £900 million life science campus comprised of 15 buildings have been given the green light in Hertfordshire. The ambitious project, titled the Elevate Quarter, secured approval from the Stevenage Borough Council’s planning and development committee.
The proposed life science campus, situated in Stevenage, is slated to encompass an expansive 1.6 million square feet (148,645 sq m) of real estate. It is strategically designed to accommodate laboratories, office spaces, and manufacturing facilities. Backed by developers UBS Asset Management and Reef Group, the project aims to emerge as one of Europe’s largest life science campuses and is anticipated to generate approximately 5,000 job opportunities.
In addition to its scientific facilities, the Elevate Quarter plans to incorporate a range of amenities, including dining establishments, cafes, recreational options, and three transportation hubs featuring multi-story parking for both cars and bicycles. Central to the layout is a lush green area enveloped by an interconnected network of pathways and open spaces.
The proposed location for the campus aligns strategically with the presence of GlaxoSmithKline’s worldwide research and development facility, as well as Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, a hub for innovation in the bioscience field.
Piers Slater, the joint chief executive of Reef Group, expressed enthusiasm over the council’s approval, noting that the campus’s strategic positioning in Stevenage reinforces the region’s status as a preeminent hub for advanced therapies in Europe. Slater emphasized that the design facilitates scalability and collaboration, fostering an environment conducive to growth for major multinational corporations and biotechnology startups alike.
Dr. Sally Ann Forsyth OBE, CEO of Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, echoed the sentiments, referring to the approval as a “landmark day” for both Stevenage and UK science. She highlighted the development’s potential to amplify the nation’s standing in global technological and scientific arenas.
Construction of the life science campus is projected to commence by year-end, with the initial phase aiming for completion by the close of 2025. As the Elevate Quarter takes shape, it seeks to catalyze innovation, collaboration, and growth within the life sciences sector, casting a positive influence on both the local and global scientific landscape.
