Gateway14 Ltd, advised by its development partner, Jaynic, has appointed Wilten Construction Ltd to build the Skills & Innovation centre at the Gateway 14 development adjacent to Junction 50 of the A14 at Stowmarket, Suffolk.
Construction is expected to start imminently on the £18m three-storey centre, that will be owned by Mid-Suffolk District Council with an operator yet to be appointed. Gateway 14 is part of ~Freeport East – creating a 35,000 sq ft state-of-the-art, building providing office space for high-growth start-ups, collaboration and innovation spaces, training and meeting rooms and a café.
In partnership with West Suffolk College and the Universities of Suffolk and Essex, the centre aims to address the skills gaps locally and within the Freeport area, and to seize opportunities around growing sectors such as the green economy and digital/AI technology.
The development is being undertaken by Gateway 14 Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mid-Suffolk Council, and project managed by Jaynic. The building has been designed to be sustainable and to ensure a reduced carbon footprint. Features include:
A green hybrid roof – green planting with PV panelling above to generate electricity for the building
Ultra High Efficacy Internal and External led lighting – with PIR/dimming controls
Main office rainwater harvesting systems – greatly reducing tenants’ water usage
A hybrid hydronic VRF heating and cooling AC system – based on an external Air Source Heat Pump
Electric Car Chargers – 20% car parking spaces will be provided with active EV car charging stations
Battery Storage – on site battery storage connected to PV system on the roof
Joe Clarke, Senior Commercial Manager at Jaynic, said: ““We are pleased to have Wilten Construction on board as contractor for the Skills & Innovation Centre. We have been impressed with Wilten’s performance on Bauder’s new distribution centre at G14 and look forward to working with their team on this exciting project”
Naim Basha a director at Wilten Construction, said: “Wilten is delighted to have been appointed for the second time by Jaynic for the Design and Build contract for the Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14, delivering on our Wilten promise and generating a repeat business relationship.
“Having recently completed Pioneer Park at Leicester, Wilten will add great value to this scheme, and we look forward to undertaking this prestigious project that will have a positive impact on both the local economy and the community,” adds Basha.
Jaynic development director Ben Oughton, said: “The Skills and Innovation Centre will enhance the offer of Gateway 14 to other occupiers making the park, adjacent to Junction 50 of the A14, one of the key schemes in the East of England.”
Steve Beel, the Chief Executive of Freeport East, said: “Freeport East is delighted to see ongoing progress with the Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14. Delivery of a high-quality building with the strongest sustainability credentials is central to helping us to attract new investors to the area and ensuring they benefit from a highly skilled local workforce.”
Sir Christopher Haworth, Chair of Gateway 14 Ltd, said: “The construction contract award and imminent groundbreaking is likely to see the skills and innovation centre open for business within 12-18 months which is great news. It has the potential to be an iconic and market-leading new centre for innovation and skills in green sectors within the eastern region and particularly for the Mid Suffolk area.”
Cllr Richard Winch, Mid Suffolk’s cabinet member for housing and property, said: “This groundbreaking project will be greatly beneficial for our entire district. It will be a hub for talented local businesses with a particular focus on the green economy, digital and AI technology.
“We’re pleased to reach this latest milestone and can’t wait to see these plans come to life.”
