Saudi Arabian delegation visit Chesterford Research Park

Feb. 22, 2012 - PRLog -- The development of Chesterford Research Park to date was today given the seal of approval by a delegation of visitors representing the Development of New Cities for Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

The delegation, tasked by the King to develop 13 science parks in Saudi Arabia, visited Chesterford (http://www.chesterfordresearchpark.com) on the second of a two day visit to Cambridge aimed at better understanding the processes involved in the development and management of successful research parks.  The group’s visit to Cambridge is just one stop on a world-wide fact finding tour that has already seen them visit science parks and research centres in Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.  They chose to visit the Cambridge area as an example of best practice when it comes to the design, development and implementation of science parks for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and ICT companies.

The delegation of Program Managers were met at the Park by Martin Sylvester, Director Churchmanor Estates Company Plc, joint developers of Chesterford with Aviva Investors.  Having discussed the development of the Park to date, from the initial acquisition of the land in July 2000 to the current development of the Science Village, Mr Sylvester then led the delegation on a tour of The Nucleus, the Park’s central facilities building, before breaking for lunch in The Nucleus Restaurant.

Chesterford Research Park was approached by the hosts of the visit, Cambridge Visits to open their doors to the delegation as an excellent example of how to develop and manage a successful research park.  Whilst in the region the delegation also spent time at other facilities.

Martin Sylvester commented of the visit: “We were extremely pleased to welcome the representatives for the Development of New Cities for Science and Technology to Chesterford.  I take it as a great complement to the successful development of the Park to have been approached by Patrick Horsley of Cambridge Visits to share our experiences”.

From Cambridge, the delegation will return to Saudi Arabia to further develop their ideas and plans for the generation of the 13 science parks, the first of which will be developed in the city of Taif, where 10 sq km has already been allocated for development.

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Chesterford Research Park is being developed as a 250 acre low density scheme to provide high quality accommodation in an attractive environment for science and technology based companies of all sizes. To date, more than 240,000 sq ft of laboratory and R&D space has been let and occupied. Further phases of construction will extend the development to approximately 600,000 sq ft (56,500 sq m). The Park is being developed as a joint venture between Aviva Investors and The Churchmanor Estates Company Plc. http://www.chesterfordresearchpark.com and http://www.thenucleus.uk.com