Construction milestone for Sci-Tech Daresbury’s 10,000 sq ft Techspace Two scheme

Work on a new business facility at the Sci-Tech Daresbury Enterprise Zone in Cheshire has hit a major milestone.

The Techspace Two scheme, a self-contained building comprising 10,000 sq ft of office space across two levels, reached practical completion this week.

Elsewhere, work is still underway on the site’s larger sister building, Techspace One. Comprising 46,000 sq ft of office space along with laboratory facilities over three floors, the property is due for completion in the coming weeks.

Together, both buildings will lead to the creation of 350 new jobs at the science and technology campus.

Techspace One and Two form part of a £20m investment into the Enterprise Zone that also includes the development of campus infrastructure and new public realm.

While Techspace One has received support from the European Regional Development Fund’s 2007-2013 programme, Techspace Two has received support through the Regional Growth Fund.

Software and automation firm Conveyor Networks will be the first tenant to occupy Techspace Two.

Sci-Tech Daresbury is a private-public joint-venture partnership between the Science and Technology Facilities Council, developer Langtree and Halton Borough Council.

Langtree’s group development director, Neal Biddle, is a board director of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture company.

Neal said: “Techspace Two will provide grade A office accommodation on the state-of-the-art Sci-Tech Daresbury campus. It’s designed to accommodate businesses operating in the science, technology and innovation sectors.

“The new building’s striking design and the modern landscaped setting reflects the innovative character of the businesses attracted to the campus.”

He added: “We’re delighted to have secured our first tenant and it’s particularly encouraging to see the volume of interest in the two buildings which the property team are securing from other potential tenants.”

Langtree’s group property director, Jayne Furnival, commented: “Sci-Tech Daresbury has a unique offer in terms of its scientific facilities, its location and the quality of the accommodation it offers.

“It also offers very distinctive and valuable opportunities for collaboration with research, educational and business organisations so that the commercialisation of innovation can be accelerated.”