FEATURE
Stunning – a CGI shows how the new development at Teesside Freeport could look .
IN THE ZONE
Wilton Centre owner reveals plans for freeport development
The owner of the Wilton Centre is working on plans to build manufacturing space , laboratories and offices on land inside the nearby Teesside Freeport .
Five buildings would allow room for established businesses to grow and accommodate around 500 staff .
Another 100 would work in a separate incubator hub offering ‘ plug and play ’ laboratories as well as offices for startups .
There would be around 180,000 sq ft of new space at the freeport zone development , with both the buildings and landscaping meeting the highest sustainable and environmental standards .
The Wilton Centre ’ s owner , Pioneer Group , believes the new facility would be particularly appealing for companies working in the biopharmaceutical and circular economy sectors .
Pioneer Group director Jeroen Houtzagersaid : “ This is a fantastic opportunity to build upon the exciting ecosystem of innovative businesses based at the Wilton Centre .
“ The expansion would provide additional space for our existing occupiers , whilst the substantial tax benefits of the freeport would help attract businesses from across the UK .
“ Together , they will enhance
Teesside ’ s deep talent pool which is already recognised worldwide for its work in high value manufacturing , focused on renewable materials and biopharmaceuticals .”
Pioneer Group is the UK ’ s largest private owner and operator of science parks .
As well as the Wilton Centre , there are another nine sites across the UK and Ireland in its portfolio .
It helps science businesses thrive – whether they are new or large companies – by supporting them with serviced accommodation , facilities and venturebuilding activity . Ecosystems of likeminded businesses are encouraged to build connections across all of the parks .
Last year , Pioneer Group invested £ 2m in a major refurbishment at the Wilton Centre .
Teesside-based Logic Architecture has been commissioned to design the new centre .
Managing director Mark Barlow said : “ The companies based there would be engaged in cutting-edge research , development and manufacturing processes using the latest technologies .
“ Their surroundings – the buildings and the landscaping – must create the appropriate environment to reflect this and allow them to flourish .”
Logic created the award-winning
TeesAMP business park in Middlesbrough – and the Wilton Centre project would have a similar modular design .
“ One size doesn ’ t necessarily fit all ,” said Mark .
“ We are providing a range of unit sizes but they can be easily adapted to fit a company ’ s needs .”
The Wilton Centre ’ s international reputation for housing companies working at the forefront of their industries has grown through the activities of companies such as Absolute Antibody and Micropore Technologies . Both played key roles in the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Meanwhile , a plant designed by Wilton Centre-based ReNew ELP is approaching completion at nearby Wilton International .
It will be the first operation in the world to use a process that recycles plastics that up to now have been unrecyclable .
Yoghurt pots , plastic films and trays will be turned back into the chemicals and oils from which they were made .
They will then be made into new plastic products which will eventually come back for the process to be repeated .
ReNew ELP , Absolute Antibody and Micropore Technologies are three of more than 60 companies – many involved in life sciences or the circular economy – based at the Wilton Centre . Together they employ around 750 people .
For more information about plans for the new development please contact commercial property specialist Stephen Brown at s . brown @ doddsbrown . co . uk or Claire Morton – the Wilton Centre ’ s leasing and finance manager – at c . morton @ wiltoncentre . com .
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