The focus of the Science and Innovation Park will be to tackle important issues such as food security, climate change and environmental management. The landowner, Syngenta, works with farmers around the world to improve the efficiency and sustainability of millions of acres of agricultural land - work to protect the environment is at the heart of what they do.
Biodiversity net gain will be achieved through the development. There are significant opportunities for biodiversity improvements by opening up some 115 acres of green spaces including the country park, SANG and enhanced biodiversity infrastructure which will provide new habitat opportunities.
Taylor Wimpey, CEG and Syngenta are exploring highly innovative technological design to deliver reductions in energy, water use, carbon and the need to travel, to make this an exemplary environmentally friendly development. Information about this is available on the Environmental Sustainability page of this website.
The project will clearly need to deliver an extensive investment into comprehensive transport improvements in the local area.
The scale of the proposed development would deliver this investment. In line with the environmental aspirations, there would also be a focus on sustainable transport modes to and from the site.
The way we work, live and travel are all changing and the project team is exploring innovative modes of transport. There is a commitment to safe cycleways, improvements to bus services including linking the site to Bracknell and Maidenhead stations and the Elizabeth Line, an ‘on demand’ bus facility to better connect those wanting to access the site, along with an on-site mobility hub providing electric bikes and electric car hire to name but a few. Given the timescales of the development, as new technologies emerge, their potential benefit and feasibility will be assessed.
The project team is carrying out a Transport Assessment assessing surrounding road junctions to explore improvements required. These would be developed and designed as part of a future planning application, should the site be allocated in the Local Plan. The proposals could not go ahead without the highways’ authorities being comfortable that the Jealott’s Hill development proposals can be mitigated. The Sustainable Transport Strategy would include improvements to the existing network and a Travel Plan which will require sustainable transport methods to be implemented and actively encouraged.
Bracknell Forest Council consulted on its Local Plan in Autumn 2019, further consultation is planned this year.
Last year, Syngenta has organised site tours for local Parish Councils, as representatives for the wider community. At the appropriate time, so as not to conflict with the Council’s Local Plan consultation, Syngenta and its partners will work closely with BFC, local Parish Councils, the wider community and its own team of innovative scientists to evolve the proposals and engage local people in this design process, through workshops, meetings, events and exhibitions.
Some of these will focus on particular areas of interest, such as the comprehensive transport improvements, our approach to eco-design and new technologies. These meetings will enable constructive and detailed discussions allowing the project team to understand your views and what is important to you ensuring we mitigate concerns and deliver a development everyone can be proud of.
If you would like to get involved in the consultation events, liaison group and/or workshops or wish to find out more about the proposals, please contact jealottshill@ceg.co.uk or click here to contact us.
Clustering of science companies is undoubtedly the way to deliver new innovations to tackle pressing issues of food security and climate change, working collaboratively in an open innovation environment.
A comprehensive step change is now needed to create labs and workspaces that will attract companies, organisations, universities and top scientists from around the globe. They would be drawn by Syngenta as anchor institution and supported by quality and affordable homes, schools, healthcare, shops, services, a transformed transport network and community facilities.
Every year, Syngenta invests £200m into R&D at Jealott’s Hill and in the last decade has invested more than £63million into the buildings themselves. However, there is now a need for a significant increase in the level of investment to respond to technological advances.
At present, Syngenta cannot invest short-term in the site without having the long-term vision for a Science and Innovation Park realised. In order to make this significant investment, confidence is needed that the Science and Innovation Park, supported by new infrastructure and facilities, will be delivered. Without this, Syngenta cannot make a business case for this scale of investment into the site. The proposed housing development will fund the new infrastructure proposed including new facilities and extensive transport improvements. It will also deliver a sustainable community, with a community hub at its heart providing facilities and creating a true sense of place.
An employment-led proposal, the Science and Innovation Park would be delivered alongside the Garden Village and facilities; all would come forwards in tandem, guaranteed by a Section 106.
Yes. The site is owned by a single landowner, Syngenta, which would be the anchor institution in the long term for the Science and Innovation Park; providing leadership and intent for a strong legacy. Syngenta has a clear interest to achieve a high quality and highly sustainable flagship development.
Strategic scale provides the investment and focus for a coordinated, phased and well-planned approach to housing delivery in Bracknell for this and the next local plan period and reduces uncertainty across the District regarding focus for future housing and employment growth. As Syngenta would be at the heart of this new community, it has a vested interest to ensure delivery of the supporting facilities (schools, healthcare, shops, services), job opportunities and transport improvements.
Syngenta has sought out partners which share a common vision, a proven track record and expertise to deliver this vibrant development and they continue to provide a substantial volume of technical work to evidence how the proposals will evolve. Commercial Estates Group (CEG) and Taylor Wimpey provide a breadth of experience across the commercial development and house building sectors respectively. They invest for the long term and have delivered many award-winning developments and will provide a visionary approach here.
The Jealott's Hill proposal will retain and create hundreds of jobs and apprentice opportunities for the local area creating a new centre for the Research and Development (R&D) sector. This centre will be at the heart of the UK's Industrial Strategy for R&D, carrying out critical research into worldwide food security and crop protection.
The new Science & Innovation Park will produce a creative working environment providing a destination for new business and the opportunity to collaborate with leading universities and other partners to attract skills, knowledge and innovation. It will retain and attract inward investment into the region.
The economic benefits over a 20-year period post completion include:
