The building of a new multi-million pound science park at Harlow Enterprise Zone has moved a step closer with Harlow Council appointing VINCI UK Developments as its preferred development partner.

Harlow Council and VINCI have joined forces to finalise plans for a state-of-the-art new science park on 25 acres of development land at London Road North owned by the Council.

A full development agreement is expected to be signed in early summer with building work starting by the end of the year.

Harlow Council’s vision for London Road North is to create a high quality science park in an attractive campus style environment that brings high technology companies to Harlow with a good proportion of high value jobs.

The park will focus on high technology businesses in the Life Science, ICT and Advanced Manufacturing sectors and provide more than 500,000 square feet of space with the potential to employ between 2,500 and 3,000 people. The park will also be the home of Anglia Ruskin University’s Med-Tech Innovation Centre.

Bruno Dupety, CEO of VINCI PLC said: “VINCI and Discovery Park will set out to deliver a unique scheme for Harlow that is a step change from what currently exists in the town. We will achieve this through delivering a consistent, yet flexible building design that will appeal to modern occupiers and offer maximum flexibility throughout their occupancy. This masterplan will be built around a central heart which will provide a vibrant hub for people to meet, form partnerships and exchange ideas.”

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Waste and Recycling, said: “The Harlow Enterprise Zone is set to become a focal point of growth for the London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor, attracting businesses particularly in the medical technology and life sciences sector, which will create jobs and boost economic growth in Harlow.”