Goodman, UKAEA and STFC link up to establish world-leading location for science and innovation

~ Twenty-year joint venture at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus will attract investment through research facilities, infrastructure development and private sector interest ~ ~ 5,000 knowledge-based jobs to be created in the science and innovation sector ~

Government science and innovation investment received a major boost today with the announcement of a joint venture that will see the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus develop into one of the world's principal locations for scientific, academic and business collaboration.

Science and Innovation Minister, Ian Pearson, confirmed the government's support for the new public-private partnership comprising the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and international property group Goodman. The partnership will run the Oxfordshire campus in a 50:50 joint venture.

Under the agreement, UKAEA will provide land at Harwell for development and an existing business base. STFC will contribute involvement in major public sector science programmes and a proactive approach to ensuring fundamental research can be harnessed and exploited by innovators, entrepreneurs and industry. Goodman will offer market access to global businesses and expertise in long-term property ownership, development and management, as well as providing working capital for the JV.

Investment at the campus will encompass fundamental scientific research and the development of property, facilities and local infrastructure. A minimum of 100,000 sq m of laboratory, high technology industrial and office accommodation will be developed in the first 20 year phase of the project. Up to 5,000 high value knowledge-based jobs are also expected to be created.

This vision for the campus, originally set out in 2006 by former Science Minister Lord Sainsbury, is a key part of the Government's ten-year UK Science and Innovation Investment Framework. The joint venture approach will enable it to benefit from public sector access to global scientific communities, research programmes and facilities, alongside Goodman's commercial expertise.