"I'm delighted to have been able to accept Sir Martin Harris' and STFC's invitation to publicly announce today this important next phase in the development of the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus"
Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus
02 April 2008
This region has always had a proud history of scientific and technological expertise and commerce. When William Lever opened Port Sunlight for the employees of Lever Brothers soap factory, a century ago, his stated aims were "to socialise… business relations and get back to that close family brotherhood that existed in the good old days of hand labour." In that endeavor he was very successful - Unilever remains one of Europe's biggest companies - they employ 700 scientists and Port Sunlight is still operational today.
So, the 'innovation campus' may be new, but the principles behind fruitful collaboration and economy of scale are entrenched in local history.
I want Daresbury to be an internationally renowned centre of scientific research, innovation and commercial success. But I also want it to loom large in the imaginations of generations of people - for local school children to feel that being a scientist, inventor or technologist are great occupations and ones that they might practice here in years to come.
So, I'm delighted to have been able to accept Sir Martin Harris' and STFC's invitation to publicly announce today this important next phase in the development of the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus.
The new development covers nine acres of land with the potential for up to 200,000 sq ft of new accommodation and more than a thousand new jobs.
It is always as pleasure for a Government Minister to unveil a plaque and add to the trail of milestone achievements that have occurred during their time in office - and doubly rewarding if they have had a hand in bringing it about.
Today's event is very much a celebration of the success that has flowed from the initiative and vision of the North West Development Agency and their partners including local universities and Halton Borough Council in the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus. This vision is shared by Government. As we stated in Budget 2006, it is our clear and firm intention to develop this Campus in the same manner that we are developing the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
There has been significant speculation about the future of Daresbury, much of which I addressed in the debate in the House yesterday. As I said then, I know that there have been some difficult funding decisions to make and it hasn't always been easy. But the Government is committed to Daresbury expanding and its future prospects are looking bright.
The North West Development Agency and its partners are to be congratulated for this next stage of development at Daresbury. My announcement today of the NWDA's completion of an agreement with St Mowden Properties for the next stage of development of our shared vision will bring a total of £25m of additional private investment to the Campus.
It will provide a grow on building for the existing Innovation Centre which is already home to over 60 companies and allow those companies to grow and also attract an even larger number of up to 100 science and technology high value added companies.
There are further exiting developments in the pipeline for this campus on which I hope to be able to make similar announcements in the very near future.
I trust that today's event will demonstrate the strength of our resolve for the continuing success of the DSIC. Thank you.
