WARRINGTON’S Daresbury Laboratory has received a massive boost with the announcement that it is to receive £50 million for the Hartree Centre, an advanced computational science centre on the site.
Daresbury will also share with the Harwell laboratory in a £30 million detector systems facility, receiving half the funding.
Altogether, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has received £236.5 million for investment to develop large-scale research facilities and projects.
The investment was announced by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills [DIUS] and is being made available through the Government’s Large Facilities Capital Fund.
STFC chief executive, Professor Keith Mason said: “Today’s announcement of £236.5M is a major addition to STFC’s three-year investment programme of £1.906bn and will further ensure the UK remains at the forefront of international scientific research.
“I am particularly pleased that the government has earmarked £65M capital contribution for two cutting edge science centres at the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus. This confirms the commitment of STFC and the government to develop Daresbury as a major centre of science and innovation in the North West.
“This is excellent news for STFC, its staff and scientific communities, and the UK. Of the nine projects announced in the Large Facilities Capital Fund, six are STFC based, a clear indication of the importance of our research”.
In collaboration with key stakeholders STFC will now develop a detailed science and business case for each approved project for endorsement by Research Councils UK [RCUK] and submission to DIUS prior to funds being formally committed.
The Hartree Centre is a new world-leading computational sciences centre for the UK. It is intended to model complex systems and processes such as climate variability and human biological systems. The centre will build on existing scientific expertise at Daresbury.
The Detector Systems Centre at Daresbury will support the research, design and fabrication of sensors and promote collaboration between STFC and universities. The Detector Systems Centre would bring academic and industrial collaborators together to develop and commercialise sensors and detectors for use in biomedical imaging and security systems, among others.
Weaver vale MP Mike Hall, in whose constituency the laboratory is, said: “I am delighted at the announcement. This high level of investment will ensure Daresbury continues to be at the forefront of world leading scientific research.
“The Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus has a hard earned international reputation as a centre of scientific excellence. This large scale capital investment in computational science, engineering and detector systems is a real vote of confidence in the campus.
“The drive to exploit the commercial benefits of the world leading scientific research carried out at Daresbury is also great news. This will create jobs and be a boost for the both local economy and the North West.”
£65 million boost for laboratory
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
