10NEWSWeek 2 - Summer Termscan.lusu.co.uk/newsScience park gets the green light• Planning application <strong>for</strong> the project approved earlier this monthCatherine ChorleyNews Edi<strong>to</strong>rThe construction of a state-of-theartscience park adjacent <strong>to</strong> LancasterUniversity is in the earlystages of initiation, after a bid <strong>to</strong>renew planning application <strong>for</strong> theproject was approved at a meeting ofLancaster City Council’sPlanning and Highways Regula<strong>to</strong>ryCommittee earlier this month.The 34,000 square-metre parkwill be a collaborative enterprisebetween the city and countycouncils and Lancaster University.The site, just <strong>to</strong> the south ofBailrigg Lane, neighbours theuniversity campus at its northernboundary, and will comprise scienceand technology hubs accessed fromthe A6 via a purpose-built roadwayand internal ‘spine’ road. The area isalso <strong>to</strong> be landscaped, with provisionbeing made <strong>to</strong> protect existing trees,hedgerows and wildlife habitats.Outline planning permissionwas granted by city councillors inJune 2009, subject <strong>to</strong> conditionswhich included the stipulation thatno development may commenceuntil all third-party landownershad agreed <strong>to</strong> any works necessary<strong>to</strong> lands outside that controlled bythe council-university partnership.Following the committee meetingof 8 April, the detailed planningpermission - originally grantedbe<strong>for</strong>e the collapse of the citycouncil’s initial funding body,Northwest Regional DevelopmentAgency (NWDA) - was renewed.34,000m 2The expected size of thescience parkSince the un<strong>for</strong>eseen abolitionof the NWDA, which had originallysupported the city council’s £2.3mpurchase of the land, the councilhas been <strong>for</strong>ced <strong>to</strong> source alternativefunding <strong>for</strong> the project’s £8m ofinfrastructure works. Theseworks will include access roads,drainage and power supplies as well assignificant work <strong>to</strong> mitigate thepotential impact on traffic flowaround nearby Scot<strong>for</strong>th andGalgate, which are each <strong>to</strong> acquirean innovative traffic light systemthat responds <strong>to</strong> traffic conditions.The environment is also <strong>to</strong> be takenin<strong>to</strong> account with the installationof new bus s<strong>to</strong>ps close <strong>to</strong> the park’saccess road and the extensionof the existing cycling route <strong>to</strong>integrate the park in<strong>to</strong> its eco-friendlycycle-path network.Fortunately, the council wassuccessful in its search <strong>for</strong> alternativefunding, throughwhich it secured£3m from theGovernment’sGrowing PlacesFund throughthe LancashireEnterprisePartnership.The Universitysubmitted its suppor<strong>to</strong>f the project<strong>to</strong> the council’sconsultation report,stating thatits key areas ofinterest would beICT, engineering and environmentalsciences. The university described theproject as “a significant stimulus <strong>to</strong> thelocal economy,” and the LancasterGuardian reported that up <strong>to</strong> 1,000new jobs opportunities couldaccompany the site’s inception.However, numerous objectionswere raised by local residents onthe grounds of aesthetic concernsand fears around increased trafficcongestion. Five letters werereceived from members of thesurrounding community, but thereport submitted <strong>to</strong> the city councilconcluded that the potential benefi<strong>to</strong>f the science park fully justifiedthe approval <strong>for</strong> its development.Conditions are in place <strong>to</strong>artist’s impressionProvided by Facilitiesensure that minimum disruption <strong>to</strong>the environment, the communityand the infrastructure of the southernneighbourhoods of Lancasteroccurs during both construction andoperation periods.The committee report stated “It isconsidered appropriate <strong>to</strong> deliver ahigh quality science park which hasthe potential <strong>to</strong> deliver high qualityjobs, retain skilled graduates withinthe district and help trans<strong>for</strong>m thelocal economy.”The project development is subject<strong>to</strong> a standard three year timescale,taking its projected completion date<strong>to</strong> a full decade ahead of the originalproposals of 2006.X Fac<strong>to</strong>r winner <strong>to</strong> headline Grad Ball• Tinchy Stryder and Fluer also per<strong>for</strong>m, as well as the Tower CircusEmma NelsonNews Edi<strong>to</strong>rThis year’s Graduation Ball takesplace in The Blackpool TowerBallroom on 23rd June and is set <strong>to</strong>showcase a masquerade theme.This is a change in location fromprevious years; in the past, the ballwas held at the Great HallThe Ball will be <strong>open</strong> <strong>to</strong> guestsfrom 7.15 pm and guests can maketheir way <strong>to</strong> Blackpool Tower oncoaches at either 6.30pm or 8.00pm.The acts set <strong>to</strong> per<strong>for</strong>m on thenight are student bands Fablesand Soulrigg, as well as DJ Cawky,DJ Simba, Lake Komo, Fleur,Fenech-Soler, Tinchy Stryder. 2012X Fac<strong>to</strong>r winner James Arthur.,whose single “Impossible” reachednumber 1 in the UK Top 40 singleschart, will headline the event.It has also been announced thatthe Ball will see an exclusive showfrom the famous Blackpool TowerCircus.Guests can also experiencethe Blackpool Tower Eye <strong>for</strong> anadditional cost, which consists ofa glass floor and wall along thewest side of the Tower, providingpanoramic views of Blackpoolseafront. Discounted vouchers areavailable <strong>for</strong> guests.There will also be a pho<strong>to</strong> booth,professional pho<strong>to</strong>graphy and foodstalls at the event.Tickets went on sale on ThursdayWeek 1 with large queues despiterainy conditions. They are still onsale from the LUSU Info Desk, belowSpar. They cost £39.50 with a PurpleCard and £49.50 without.grad ball will beheld at the <strong>to</strong>werballroom
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