UCLan given greenlight for £30m Engineering Innovation Centre in Preston

Work is set to begin on the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) multi-million pound Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) after Preston City Council gave it the go-ahead this week.

The £30m facility in the heart of Preston, greenlit following consultations with community members and local stakeholders, will aim to link academia with industry through its integrated teaching and research hub.

Launched with the aim of reclaiming Lancashire’s position as a national centre for advanced manufacturing, the EIC will work to ensure that local skills reflect the county’s social and economic needs, which includes encouraging more young women to consider careers in engineering.

UCLan CEO Michael Ahern said: “The approval for work to begin is an important moment for the University and the future redevelopment of Preston.

“A true flagship development for the city, the EIC will be a powerful hub for developing and nurturing talent that will help the UK retain its place as a leader in engineering and innovation.”

He added: “We’ve worked, and will continue to work, in consultation with local stakeholders on transformational plans which will create a world-class campus and a legacy that befits everyone – students, businesses and members of the local community.”

As the first milestone in UCLan’s £200m Campus Masterplan project, the EIC has been identified as a core scheme within Lancashire’s Strategic Economic Plan.

The site secured £10.5m through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Lancashire Growth Deal with the government. A further cash injection of £5m, granted by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, will be used to equip the facility with specialist equipment and advanced technology.

Further, the EIC is seeking support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) capital fund.

With planning permission now in place, UCLan will focus on delivering phase one of the construction work, which is due to begin later this year.

Manchester architects SimpsonHaugh and Partners designed the scheme alongside Edinburgh firm Reiach and Hall Architects. Architecture group BDP, meanwhile, has been chosen to deliver engineering expertise.

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