Dorset Green Technology Park

Dorset Green Technology Park (formerly Winfrith Technology Centre) is a science and technology park which is owned by the Homes and Communities Agency. The site was the former UKAEA Winfrith Atomic Energy Establishment which was in service from the 1950s to early 1990s. The Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor was also developed at the site.

The centre is situated near the village of Winfrith Newburgh, which is some eight miles west of Wareham and nine miles east of Dorchester.

History

Winfrith Technology Centre

Winfrith Technology Centre dates from the 1980s when part of the UKAEA site was already being referred to by that name.[1] It was used as a research and development centre in support of the nuclear, oil and gas industries.

By the early 21st century, under the ownership of UKAEA, the centre was home to about 50 companies including defence technology company QinetiQ which operated its underwater technology business there.[2][3] QinetiQ would later sell its underwater technology division to Atlas Elektronik in 2009,[3] whilst still remaining a tenant at Winfrith.[4]

In 2004 Winfrith Technology Centre was sold to the UK government's regeneration agency, English Partnerships for £7.54 million.[2] English Partnerships' ownership passed to its successor body, the Homes and Communities Agency, in December 2008.[5]

Dorset Green Technology Park

In early 2008 English Partnerships appointed Zog Brownfield Ventures to redevelop the Technology Centre.[6] The intention was "to create an eco-friendly business complex".[7] By 2009 the site was being called the Dorset Green Technology Park.[8] There are currently major plans to expand and redevelop the site.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Winfrith Technology Centre". Engineering World (Society of Engineers Limited). 80-83: 26. 1989.
  2. 1 2 "UK atomic shutdown 30 years early". BBC News. 30 April 2004. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  3. 1 2 "QinetiQ Sells Underwater Systems Division to Atlas". Defense Industry Daily. May 17, 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  4. 1 2 "26,000 jobs bonanza to follow £12.6 million government investment in county". Dorset Echo. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Inside Housing: New agencies will face 'huge challenges". Inside Housing. 1 December 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "EP appoints Zog and HBOS to redevelop atomic centre". Building.co.u. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Zero-carbon plans at former nuclear site". Dorset Echo. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "The Dorset Green Technology Park". Dorset Echo. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2015.

External links

Coordinates: 50°40′57″N 2°15′56″W / 50.68250°N 2.26556°W / 50.68250; -2.26556

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