New Building for the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre
Building and civil engineering contractor, Britcon has been awarded a significant contract by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to design and build much needed new offices and workshops on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) as grow on space for the AMP Technology Centre, managed by Creative Space Management.
The AMP is the UK’s premier advanced manufacturing technology park. Businesses on the park already provide world-class technology solutions for use in precision industries.
Landowners, The Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), which took on the assets from Yorkshire Forward, submitted a planning application last year for the next phase of development at the AMP which features workshop and office accommodation incorporated into a new £4.2m building. Working alongside AHR Architects and WYG Engineers, Britcon will deliver a facility extending to in excess of 32,000 sq ft which will include split level workshops with office space. The building is to be marketed as grow on space for the AMP Technology Centre and is expected to be completed in September 2015.
Ian Chapman, regional manager at Britcon said: “We are delighted to secure this major contract through our Yorkshire office. Our combined design and build capabilities and sector track record has qualified us, through a very strict tender process, to deliver a one stop solution for the HCA.”
Amanda Keeton at the Homes and Communities Agency added: “The contract for this important building was let on a competitive basis and it is great that a local firm has won the work. The Technical Centre has become necessary because of the success of the AMP and the need to provide more space for high technology start-up businesses.”
It is eight years since the AMP Technology Centre was officially opened by three-time Formula 1 World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart. It has been designed to accommodate a range of manufacturing-related activities, from fledgling engineering and technology companies, to University spin-offs and subsidiaries of established companies.
Initially developed by Yorkshire Forward, the AMP Technology Centre is now operated by Creative Space Management on behalf of the Homes and Communities Agency and have maintained occupancy close to 100% while also supporting companies to grow in to units on the wider park.
Companies hoping to expand or move to the AMP are involved in a wide range of advanced manufacturing areas including carbon capture technology development, navigation systems for use underwater to aid divers, sports design and manufacture, medical device development, server cooling systems, specialised seals and composite hi-fi speakers.