Cranfield University Technology Park prepares for next stage off development

St Modwen Properties PLC, which is developing the 40-hectare Cranfield University Technology Park in partnership with Cranfield University, is planning another major phase to meet the expansion demands of successful occupiers.

As part of the next stage of development, for which planning consent has been applied, St Modwen is proposing to develop four sub-divisible hi-tech buildings which will incorporate offices and research/production facilities ranging from 372 sq m ( 4,000 sq ft) to 743 sq m (8,000 sq ft ), plus a 1,393 sq m (15,000 sq ft) two-storey and a 2,787 sq m (30,000 sq ft) three-storey office building.

Nick Kay, of St Modwen, explained: “We are aware that some of our existing occupiers having come on to the park as small businesses two or three years ago, are now keen to expand and buy their own property here.

“Now Cranfield is established, we are also hoping to attract the larger scale occupier and the individual office buildings will satisfy that market.”

He added that in the past few months numerous companies on the park have gained nominations and national awards for their pioneering work. They include CALTEC Ltd which won the Best Production Solution Award for its Monster Jet Pump, and were also nominated for the Company of the Year award and New Business of the Year Award in Bedfordshire and Luton Business Excellence Awards 2004.

Another occupier Cognisco Ltd, the global employee assessment solutions company, received the Exceptional Grant for Research and Development award from the Department of Trade & Industry. Web services company NetSquared won the DTI’s E-commerce Start Up award for the East of England.

The last of the available space in the previous phase was let to Nissan which has its European design headquarters at Cranfield.

For further information contact Nick Kay of St Modwen (020 7499 5666).

Issued by Paul Raymer of Howle Chapman Raymer (0121-236-7771).