Centre puts science park expansion under threat

DOUBTS have been expressed over the viability of plans to expand Kent Science Park, after it was revealed a £1 billion science research centre will be built near Ashford.

The world-class centre planned for Wye is backed by Kent County Council, Ashford Council and Imperial College, London.

It is estimated 12,500 high-quality jobs will be created.

Leading pharmaceutical, engineering and medical companies could be attracted to the site, which is linked to the Imperial College campus.

As a result, Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt has questioned the future of KSP's expansion plans. He said: "I said at the inquiry in September, 2004 that Imperial should come to Kent and that it made no sense to have Kent Science Park without a university.

"Kent Science Park is not linked to a university and is a private science park. My guess is that they will find it pretty difficult to find science companies that want to go there rather than Wye."

Proposals for Kent Science Park announced last year included the creation of 5,000 jobs, expanding its site south of Sittingbourne by 50 hectares, together with the creation of 130 hectares of housing.

New primary and secondary schools, playing fields, libraries and community centres were proposed.

It also promised to deliver a new £23 million link between the A2 and the M2, as well as a 54-hectare country park.

The Five Parishes Opposition Group, representing Bapchild, Bredgar, Milstead, Rodmersham and Tunstall, was formed to fight the proposals.

Its chairman Andy Hudson said: "If they are serious about having a science park at Wye with a university campus, I cannot see how another science park that's
geographically so close can be sustained. I really do think this is going to have a major impact."

Mr Hudson emphasised that the opposition group opposed KSP's plans for expansion outside the current security fence and was not against increased use of current buildings.

He asked: "Why not try to make more use of what's there already, before a mad 500 per cent expansion?"

When asked if he thought the Wye development would threaten Kent Science Park's plans, Swale Council leader Cllr Andrew Bowles said: "I accept that it might do. I recognise that it could be seen as a competitor to Kent Science Park, but I hope it can stand on its own."

Cllr Bowles, who stressed he had never supported KSP's housing plans, added: "It still has a role to play in providing quality jobs for the people of Swale. We cannot continue with a position where the vast majority of residents have to out-commute."

But Kent Science Park project director Simon Reynolds remained optimistic that expansion will occur. He said: "We do not see Wye as a threat. Ashford is a self-contained growth area, whereas we are part of the Thames Gateway. And Wye has significant issues to do with infrastructure."

Mr Reynolds said the KSP project had been evolving and "fundamental refinement" of the original proposals had taken place. "We have been refining our plans as we go, working with various partners," he said.

This year, KSP has agreed 14 new lettings, totalling 24,000 sq ft of floor space. Site director Nick Sharp said: "It has been a fantastic year of growth for us as the flagship centre in this Thames Gateway knowledge economy.

"We have received a substantial number of inquiries and welcomed new tenants."