European Space Agency to open new research centre with 5,000 jobs at Harwell

3:25pm Tuesday 2nd December 2008

The European Space Agency has confirmed it will open a new research centre near Didcot with the creation of up to 5,000 jobs.

The new centre will be built at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus and has been welcomed as a boost to the local economy.

It will focus on researching space robotics and climate change. A new laboratory and office block will be built at the site.

John Flood, leader of Didcot Town Council, said: “It’s really excellent news. We are an area of scientific excellence and this just adds to it. The jobs will help the local economy. We will just have to keep our fingers crossed that they start building houses.

“Most of cutting-edge science in this country is within Oxfordshire and this is a great boost to Didcot’s reputation.”

The property group Goodman has signed up for the joint venture with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

The 260-hectare Harwell campus currently houses more than 4,500 workers in 100 organisations.

However, some villagers are worried about the impact on the area.

Stewart Lilly, vice chairman of Harwell Parish Council, said: “My concern would be whether the community in the area would be able to adequately support the increase in population. We need to make sure there is an integration of necessary infrastructure.”

Tony Hughes, chairman of Keep Harwell Rural, said: “We would have some concerns about the effects that it would have on increasing traffic through Harwell village, coming from this, and the expansion of Didcot.

“It’s really only acceptable if one of the contributions made to the community, is to enable a bypass to be built around Harwell village.”

Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, director of science parks at Goodman, said: “This is a hugely significant announcement underlining the credentials of Harwell and the UK as a world-class location for science and innovation.

“We are confident that with our partners, we have the skills and experience to attract further high-calibre customers to Harwell, where we can foster collaboration between businesses, research organisations and academia.”

Lord Drayson, Minister for Science and Innovation, said: “The Government’s priority, particularly in the current economic climate, is to ensure value for every pound we invest in the European Space Agency. This is why we have selected the areas where the UK can compete and grow most effectively.”