Bristol & Bath Science Park backs Eco Park plans

Tom Beasley, the head of the Forum and Innovation Centre at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, has backed the plans for Eco Park, which will be a place where green businesses and technology companies will come together and share ideas, creating a focal point of creativity and innovation for Gloucestershire.

Mr Beasley said: “Bristol & Bath Science Park tenants have benefited first-hand from clustering like-minded businesses together. This has resulted in an increase in jobs, new business start-ups, new technology and business growth.

“As science and technology businesses in the area of low carbon and environmental technologies grow, it is good to know there is the potential for increased accommodation capacity, collaboration and clustering.

“We are looking forward to working with Eco Park as a member of a strong south west cluster of science parks and incubators.”

Mr Beasley was also impressed by the focus on sustainability and biodiversity in the Eco Park plans, which include the creation of a new nature reserve, enhancing biodiversity on the site and creating new wildlife corridors.

He continued: “Eco Park has the potential to demonstrate how development can be undertaken sustainably with thought and care given to the environment.

“We will all benefit from the lead being taken in sustainable construction, as we strive to further limit our impact on the environment and reduce carbon emissions.”

Eco Park is a proposed 100 acre sports and green technology centre at Junction 13 on the M5 – with 50 acres dedicated to creating state-of-the-arts sporting facilities, including a new stadium for Forest Green Rovers, while the other 50 acres will comprise a green technology business park capable of creating up to 4,000 jobs.