Plans revealed for £120 million aviation campus

Updated plans have been unveiled for a £120 million sustainable aviation technology campus expected to create 1200 jobs and contribute £64 million a year to the economy.

Developer HBD, part of Sheffield-based Henry Boot, is progressing the Duxford Aviation Technology Campus in partnership with IWM Duxford and Gonville and Caius College, part of the University of Cambridge.

The proposals have been further developed following an initial public consultation earlier this year, with new designs and CGIs now released ahead of a planning application to South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Known as Duxford AvTech, the proposed campus would provide around 435,000sq ft of high-specification research, development and manufacturing space for growing aviation and engineering businesses.

Flexible buildings would sit alongside new public spaces, landscaping and walking and cycling routes.

The campus would focus on the development of low and zero-carbon aircraft technology, advanced materials and digital systems, helping support efforts to make aviation cleaner, quieter and more efficient.

Hamer Boot, managing director at HBD, said: “Since sharing our emerging proposals earlier this year, we’ve listened carefully to the feedback from the local community and have continued to develop our plans for Duxford AvTech. 

“As we move towards a planning application, we want to make sure the scheme is not only ambitious in what it could mean for the future of aviation, but also carefully considered in how it integrates with the surrounding area and delivers lasting benefits for the local and regional economy.

“The vision is to create a high-quality campus of sustainable research, development and manufacturing space, supported by attractive public realm and landscape. 

“It will provide innovative businesses with the environment they need to grow, while respecting the unique character of IWM Duxford and taking advantage of the benefits of being located alongside one of the UK’s most significant aviation destinations.”

Located alongside IWM Duxford’s historic airfield and close to the University of Cambridge’s Whittle Laboratory, the development aims to bring together academia and industry while creating around 1200 full-time jobs in research, engineering and operations.

Plans are also being developed for a new energy-efficient IWM Lab, which would house and conserve some of the largest objects in the museum’s collection.

The facility would support specialist conservation work, training and apprenticeships, while guided tours and open days would offer visitors an insight into how historic aircraft and other artefacts are preserved.

Further consultation events are being held at IWM Duxford before the project team submits its planning application.

The consultation materials will also be available to view online from September 3 at duxfordavtech.co.uk/consultation.

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