What is a Science Park?
A Science Park is similar to a Business Park e.g. Green Park, although it focuses on providing facilities and premises for 'knowledge based companies' such as those involved in research and design. Science Parks are also normally physically close and formally linked to a centre of technological excellence - usually a university.
Science Park in the Wokingham Borough
A Science Park has been proposed within the Wokingham Borough Core Strategy (policy CP11). This would be developed south of the M4 in Shinfield parish and would have links with the University of Reading. The specific location of the Science Park will be decided in the Council's Development Management DPD which, along with the Core Strategy,will form part of the Local Development Framework.
The Science Park includes measures to mitigate against the demand for increased housing, labour, skills traffic and highways.
When will the Science Park be built?
It will be for the Planning Inspector who is currently appraising the Core Strategy to decide whether the plans for a Science Park may be considered 'sound'. If the proposal for a Science Park is however adopted within the final Core Strategy, the likely start date for the first phase of its construction will be 2016.
