Science Park preferred site announced

Menai Science Park has today announced that a 50 acre site at Gaerwen is the preferred location for the new Science Park to serve North West Wales. The site, currently owned by the Isle of Anglesey County Council was one of three sites on the island shortlisted by the Science Park project team.

Commenting on the announcement, Science Park Director Ieuan Wyn Jones said, “After undertaking a rigorous internal process, I am delighted that we now have a preferred site for our Science Park project, which will play a key role in creating high value employment in North West Wales. The Park will play host to industry facing and science based research projects, either located currently within Bangor University, within the SME community and within large corporates. By having the latest state of the art buildings and facilities, we aim to attract some of the best researchers, SMEs with potential for growth and large corporates to bring some of their R&D capacity to Wales.

“The Park will build on the existing strengths of Bangor University in a number of research areas, including energy, environmental services, clean technology, engineering and electronics. All the evidence shows that these areas have great potential for growth and produce jobs with much higher salary levels than the current average for Wales.

“By choosing Gaerwen as the preferred site, we can capitalise on strong links to Energy Island and the fact that Anglesey is a designated Enterprize Zone. However, the Park should be seen as an important asset for the whole of North West Wales. I have already held positive talks with the three local authorities in the area, Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy. As the Park develops I believe that it will benefit the whole of North Wales.”

Menai Science Park will now be working with Anglesey, the utility companies and consultants to firm up proposals for the site including the costs associated with the development. It will also be necessary to undertake further work to understand if the initial conclusions of the archaeological survey can be verified. A final decision on the site will be made later in the year.

Publication date: 25 September 2013