Burnley ‘Vision Park’ plans unveiled

The new “Vision Park” will be a hub for advanced manufacturing, digital and knowledge-based industries at the heart of the town’s multi-million pound Knowledge Quarter.

Council chiefs and developers unveiled the ambitious plans to business leaders from across the North-West at a prestigious launch event at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.

The business park is positioned next to Burnley College and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) campus on the former Burnley waste and recycling centre.

The first phase of the development will see a new “innovation centre” created with space for high-tech manufacturing, R&D and offices.

Leaders believe businesses will be able to take advantage of the knowledge transfer, skills, research and development in digital technologies and in particular the manufacturing and engineering excellence via the Centre of Engineering Excellence which is housed on the campus.

Steve Rumbelow, Burnley Council’s Chief Executive, said: “Vision Park will provide a unique offer to advanced manufacturing and digital industries that can connect to the unrivalled manufacturing and robotic technologies in the adjacent education campus.”

“Burnley is becoming a regionally significant centre for advanced manufacturing, and we are creating modern business environments to attract growing business in this sector, which will benefit from being based amongst businesses at the forefront of advanced manufacturing”.

“Just this week we have manufacturing experts speaking at the International Festival of Business Manufacturing Summit in Liverpool, who were invited to speak and share Burnley’s excellence in manufacturing, as well as telling delegates about the wider Burnley offer as a great place to live and work.”

Burnley Council Leader Mark Townsend said: “I’m delighted we secured a national developer to take forward the Vision Park. Trebor delivers niche business parks across the UK including the successful Malvern Hills Science Park, and I’m confident they’ll deliver a superb commercial development here in Burnley.”

Bob Tattrie, managing partner for Trebor Developments LLP, added: “Burnley has a growing reputation as a centre for manufacturing excellence with several world class advanced manufacturing businesses located in the town, who work in partnership to promote the towns superb infrastructure and the proactive business support environment. So companies looking at Vision Park would be in good company.”