Plans for a proposed £120million sustainable aviation technology campus at IWM Duxford have been further developed following feedback from local residents, businesses and stakeholders, with updated designs and new CGIs now available to view ahead of a planning application.
HBD, part of Henry Boot, is progressing the Duxford Aviation Technology Campus scheme in partnership with IWM Duxford and Gonville and Caius College, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.
The proposals have been developed following an initial period of public consultation earlier this year.
The project team is now inviting the local community to view the updated designs, meet the team, ask questions and provide further feedback ahead of submitting a planning application to South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Duxford AvTech is a proposed aviation technology campus comprising around 435,000 sq ft of “mid-tech” high-specification research, development and manufacturing space set within an attractive landscaped environment. Designed to support growing aviation and engineering businesses, the scheme will provide a series of flexible mid-tech buildings alongside new public realm, green spaces, walking and cycling routes, creating a campus environment where innovation, collaboration and sustainability can thrive.
Sitting at the intersection of academia, industry and government, the campus will be dedicated to developing low and zero-carbon aircraft technology and supporting the next generation of aviation innovation. The scheme is expected to create 1,200 new full-time jobs in research, engineering and operations, while contributing £64million annually to the local and regional economy.
If approved, Duxford AvTech would bring together research and innovation focused on low and zero-carbon flight, advanced materials and digital systems, helping to make aviation cleaner, quieter and more efficient. Located alongside IWM Duxford’s historic airfield and in close proximity to the University of Cambridge’s Whittle Laboratory, the campus has the potential to connect world-leading research with one of the UK’s most significant aviation heritage sites.
Plans are also being developed for a new IWM Lab; a modern, energy-efficient facility designed to house and care for some of the largest objects in IWM’s collection. The new building would support specialist conservation work, provide training and apprenticeships, and offer guided tours and open days to help the public better understand how historic aircraft and artefacts are preserved.
Hamer Boot, Managing Director at HBD, said: “Since sharing our emerging proposals earlier this year, we’ve listened carefully to the feedback from the local community and have continued to develop our plans for Duxford AvTech. As we move towards a planning application, we want to make sure the scheme is not only ambitious in what it could mean for the future of aviation, but also carefully considered in how it integrates with the surrounding area and delivers lasting benefits for the local and regional economy.”
“The vision is to create a high-quality campus of sustainable research, development and manufacturing space, supported by attractive public realm and landscape. It will provide innovative businesses with the environment they need to grow, while respecting the unique character of IWM Duxford and taking advantage of the benefits of being located alongside one of the UK’s most significant aviation destinations.”
Two consultation events will take place within the Airside Suite at IWM Duxford:
- Thursday 3rd September, 4pm – 7.30pm
- Saturday 5th September, 10am – 1.30pm
Visitors can drop in at any time during the events to view the updated proposals, including new CGI previews, meet the project team, ask questions and share their views. The consultation materials will also be available to view online from 3 September at duxfordavtech.co.uk/consultation.