The SWNH were very pleased to learn of the confirmed sale of the Berkeley Site this morning, following an initial agreement of the purchase made in January.
Chiltern Vital Berkeley Limited (CVB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiltern Vital Group, have bought the science and technology park for £6.5 million from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS).
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the region as I believe that the site will be a major catalyst for accelerating the delivery of new nuclear energy projects for the UK. The site will be a focal point for research, innovation and training”.
The site consists of a former civil nuclear power station and nuclear research laboratory-turned science park, the latter of which was saved from demolition and converted with support from Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council in 2016.
This is great news for new nuclear in the South West. Earlier this year Great British Nuclear bought the Oldbury Site, and with both sites sitting just 20 minutes apart along the River Severn, the region is set to see new investment in skills and technology. As advocates for this exact kind of ethos around training and research in nuclear, the South West Nuclear Hub is looking forward to what’s next for the sites!
Kevin Hamblin, CEO of SGS said: "We are delighted that CVB can now invest in the site to support research, development and skills training around new nuclear, AI and low carbon businesses. With the close proximity to Great British Nuclear’s Oldbury site it will create a low carbon ‘super cluster’ over the next decade”.
The University Technical College, which is also situated on the site and home to around 400 students aged between 14-18, has not been sold as part of the agreement and will continue on as before.
Mr Hamblin continues: “CVB and their partners will bring significant new investment and work opportunities for the region; and for SGS it will mean the College plays a very prominent role to support the teaching of new skills for many years to come." (BBC 2024)
As well as this focus on teaching and research, a pre-established relationship with Rolls-Royce SMR could see SMR technology realised at Berkeley, ushering in new nuclear in the region.
Professor Tom Scott, co-director of the South West Nuclear site, is particularly excited by this news:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the region as I believe that the site will be a major catalyst for accelerating the delivery of new nuclear energy projects for the UK. The site will be a focal point for research, innovation and training”.