12th September 2008
Bright future for Adastral Park as plans submitted
BT sees an exciting future emerging for Adastral Park today as it submits an outline planning application for the regeneration of the park and surrounding land.
BT’s Adastral Park will deliver a new living and working environment that is fitting for the 21st Century. The innovative plans will create a new sustainable environment that supports a regenerated research and development facility and a new residential community of up to 2,000 homes delivering additional educational and social facilities.
The application follows more than 18 months of extensive consultation with, and feedback from, stakeholder groups including local residents and parish councils alongside a sequence of showcase events held in communities close to Adastral Park in Spring 2008.
Phil Dance, BT’s managing director for technology development and senior manager at Adastral Park, said: “This is an opportunity unique in the UK to develop a truly sustainable 21st Century community, with jobs and homes side-by-side. Our vision for Adastral Park will create more than 2,000 jobs as part of a new hi-tech business community as well as much-needed homes for local people. It will also allow us to expand the university presence at the park, to help combat the ‘brain drain’ caused by Suffolk’s young people moving outside the region to study and work.
“Adastral Park has been a driver of the local and regional economy for the past 40 years, and has an international reputation for technology and innovation. BT’s proposals will ensure that Adastral Park remains globally competitive and an integral part of the region’s economy for the next 40 years and beyond.”
BT’s application includes plans for:
- The transformation of 250 acres of low-grade agricultural land and quarry into a vibrant new community
- Significant development of the existing transport infrastructure, including improved A12 access and creating better connections to the local communities and Ipswich town centre
- Comprehensive new infrastructure and services including a primary school, healthcare, public transport, shops, leisure and sports facilities
- Public spaces and a central park providing additional open recreational areas and potential for a ‘Roman-style’ open air amphitheatre for concerts and performances
- Large allotment areas for local residents to utilise
- A hotel to cater for business visitors and tourists
- An on-site energy centre to provide renewable heat and power, reducing dependency on the national grid and providing options for renewable energy
- Preservation and expansion of woodland areas on and around the site
- The creation of ‘green corridors’ – areas of actively managed green space which will provide habitats for plants, birds and animals
BT’s vision for the regeneration of Adastral Park was boosted in June when a task group of Suffolk Coastal District Council named the area as its preferred location for community growth to the East of Ipswich. Suffolk Coastal District Council’s own public consultation on BT’s proposals is expected to begin shortly, with details to be posted on the Council’s website. In the meantime, you can visit www.adastralvision.com for more information.
For further information:
BT’s regional press office on 0800 085 0660 or Email paul.2.hayward@bt.com
Or
Ben Copithorne / Paul Teverson at Camargue, Tel: 020 7636 7366 or Email bcopithorne@camarguepr.com / pteverson@camarguepr.com
Notes to Editors:
BT land at Martlesham
BT owns Adastral Park and the 100 acres (40 hectares) on which the current buildings have been developed. BT also owns a further 250 acres (100 hectares) to the east and south of the currently developed area. Much of this has been used for industrial / quarrying activity and could be restored and aesthetically landscaped within the vision. BT’s vision also involves options for working in partnership with adjacent landowners.
About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group’s revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
