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University Science and Innovation Park proposals receive support – University of Reading

The University of Reading is very pleased that its proposal for a Science and Innovation Park at Shinfield has been included in Wokingham Borough Council's Core Strategy, endorsed by the Council's Executive last night(26 June).

The site proposed by the University, situated between the M4 and Cutbush Lane, to the north of Shinfield Grange, would be brought forward as the University Science and Innovation Park and provide a knowledge exchange and focus for research based and high-tech facilities for small and medium-sized, innovative and technology based businesses.

The Park would initially have a capacity for 200,000 sq. ft. of science and innovation based business space, with the potential for future expansion. The initial phase would replace the 200,000 sq.ft Core Employment Area at The Manor, Shinfield.

David Savage, Director of Finance and Corporate Services at the University of Reading, said; "Reading and Wokingham are thriving and fast-expanding towns. We believe that a Science and Innovation Park would enhance their reputation as a location of choice for cutting-edge science and technology-based businesses, and that such a development would enhance Reading's position as an economic hub of the south east.

"The University of Reading is one of the UK's most research-intensive universities with a proud record of working hand in hand with businesses in the Thames Valley, helping them access research expertise and high-tech facilities to enable them to develop their business models. Initial soundings with the local business community on plans for a Science and Innovation Park have met with a very positive response and we look forward to sharing our plans widely with the local community and other interested parties as they develop."

The University is planning two opportunities for the local community to comment on these proposals: firstly at a two-day public consultation event planned for the autumn and subsequently at a feedback event in the New Year

ENDS

For further information please contact: Alex Brannen, Senior Press Officer, on 0118 378 7388, eg.email

a.brannen@reading.ac.uk



Notes to editors:

Wokingham Borough Council's Core Strategy

Wokingham Borough Council's Core Strategy identifies the main areas for growth within the borough. It is an important part of the Council's Local Development Framework (LDF) which will eventually guide planning decisions across the Borough. The Core Strategy will go out to public consultation in August and September.

The University of Reading

The University of Reading is ranked as one of the UK's top research-intensive universities and as one of the top 200 universities in the world. It enjoys a world-class reputation for teaching, research and enterprise. It is consistently one of the most popular higher education choices in the UK and its unusually broad portfolio of full- and part-time degree programmes covers the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences.

The University owns land south of the M4 which it would seek to develop for the Science and Innovation Park.