Work progresses on nuclear manufacturing and research centre

Work is progressing on a new multi-million-pound centre for nuclear manufacturing and research being built at Infinity Park Derby.

Architects Stephen George + Partners, which designed the 46,904 sq ft building for Nuclear AMRC Midlands, said it was “pleased” with the progress being made on its construction.

Once complete, the building, which is close to the recently opened Rolls-Royce Nuclear Skills Academy, is expected to add £52 million to the local Derby economy across a five-year period and create 70 direct jobs.

Andrew Storer, chief executive of the Nuclear AMRC, said: “The new Nuclear AMRC Midlands facility will play a vital role in helping manufacturers seize the opportunities and tackle the challenges of the national transition to net zero emissions.”

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership awarded Derby City Council more than £9 million in funding – £6.875 million from its Getting Building Fund and £2.2 million from its Growing Places Fund – to support the development of the new building.

Councillor Steve Hassall, portfolio for regeneration, decarbonisation, strategic planning and transport at the city council said: “We’re pleased to see construction progressing on the new Nuclear AMRC.

“Not only will it offer a huge boost to our local economy, but also cement our place as a national leader for innovation, manufacturing, and world-class research and development.”

The new base will help Nuclear AMRC Midlands work with companies of all sizes to help them win work in carbon-neutral supply chains as part of the global drive to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

It will support 100 businesses through collaborative research and supply chain development projects within the first five years, in high-value sectors such as aerospace, automotive and rail, as well as nuclear and other low-carbon energy technologies.

Mr Storer said: “The coming years will see increasing investment into clean energy and low-carbon technologies, and the region is well placed to capitalise on the opportunity thanks to its wealth of experience, innovation, and engineering expertise.”

As well as Nuclear AMRC, the building will also be home to the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Manufacturing (IISE).

Professor Warren Manning, provost – innovation and research, at the university, said: “Co-locating our Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering with the Nuclear AMRC opens up new possibilities for our academics, who are already engaged in work to help achieve the UK’s decarbonisation and Net Zero goals in sectors such as rail and logistics.”

Infinity Park Derby is a collaboration between the city council, the Harper Crewe Estate, Rolls-Royce and developers IPD LLP, Wilson Bowden and Peveril Securities, with Stephen George + Partners involved in the development of the masterplan for the site since 2001.

The new building, which sits on a six-acre site, comprises a 21,528 sq ft manufacturing centre and a two-storey 25,210 sq ft office and welfare facility, which contains laboratories, testing and prototyping facilities along with technical development offices.

It also features a double height atrium at the entrance to the facility, providing exhibition space to showcase the work carried out at the site.

In a statement, Stephen George + Partners, said: “The design of the building – a high quality contemporary development reflecting the high technology aspiration for Infinity Park Derby – is an important element in establishing it as a key manufacturing base for the East Midlands.”