Proposals for a new £18million art centre in a Suffolk town have taken a major step forward as planning permission has been granted.
Work can now begin on the delivery stage of the 35,000 sq ft building at the Gateway 14 business park in Stowmarket as the scheme received the green light.
The building will include office space for start-ups, collaboration and innovation spaces, training and meeting rooms and a café.
This has been designed following discussions with businesses and local skills providers.
As the centre will aim to address skills gaps locally and within the freeport area and seize opportunities around growing sectors such as the green economy and digital/AI technology.
The plans will also include a range of business support services which could see the facility become a hub for entrepreneurship, collaboration, green skills and innovation.
Freeport East agreed £16.6m funding for the centre earlier this year, with Mid Suffolk District Council meeting the remaining costs.
The final building date is unknown.
Steve Beel, chief executive for Freeport East, said: "This is great news for Gateway 14 and Freeport East, and an important next step in growing and diversifying the economy of Stowmarket and the wider Mid Suffolk area.
“Sustainability and enterprise are at the heart of this new centre and will help to attract a range of new businesses to the area, from local start-ups and SMEs to international brands.
“Positioned between the UK’s largest trading gateway at Felixstowe and the world-class knowledge assets of Cambridge and the wider East of England, it offers an unrivalled location and positions our region as a top choice for ambitious businesses in the high-growth green economy.”
Richard Winch, cabinet member for housing and property at Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “This is such a significant moment for what is an incredibly exciting project and one which will not only be greatly beneficial for Stowmarket, but the much wider area too.
“The Skills and Innovation Centre is set to be a hub for talented local businesses with a particular focus on the green economy, digital and AI technology while not only helping to bridge the skills gap, but allowing firms to grow, innovate and encourage more inward investment.
“We have ticked the boxes and jumped the hurdles, now is the time to for us to deliver on our promises and bring these plans to life.”
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