As part of Agilent Technologies' £16 million re-investment plan for its Queensferry plant, the world's premier test measurement company has been given the green light to build a new resource centre at its Scotstoun plant.
This marks the first phas
e of a proposed development plan which will eventually see around 175 properties created on a section of the site.
As revealed in the Queensferry Gazette back in February 2006, Agilent proposed to sell off a portion of its Scotstoun plant, in the region of 13 acres, to finance its business expansion and secure its long term future in the town.
It proposed to close and sell off its main building block, which dates back to the 1960s, and also the former sports and social club, playing field and car park area, situated at the north of the site, for development.
The development will house around 175 properties, including affordable housing, but before any work could begin the new resource facility had to be created. The new single storey building will accommodate an energy centre, a workshop, and a staff gym and changing facilities.
Initially the building was to incorporate office facilities but a revised application saw it reduced in scale by more than a third to just 573 square metres.
Work is currently underway to upgrade Agilent's other existing buildings with the aim to complete the works by 2010 with the housing development to begin soon after.
News that the first steps towards the redevelopment of the Agilent site had been passed was welcomed by the company and Queensferry and District Community Council.
Keith Giblett, vice chairman of the community council said: "We are pleased that the development is going forward but there still remains concerns with regard to the implications over the loss of community facilities at the site, ie sport facilities, bowling club, and nursery."
Mr Giblett added the community council and local councillors had recently met with Agilent bosses to discuss the site redevelopment and that they looked forward to working closely together with city council and Agilent to ensure that the impact on the community is minimalised.
A spokesperson for Agilent said: "Agilent is very pleased that the City of Edinburgh Council approved Agilent's planning applications, one for rezoning of the land for residential use and the other for a small additional building for our energy centre. Agilent has established good working relations with the Queensferry and District Council and is keeping them informed of all developments."
editorial@journalandgazette.co.ukThe full article contains 436 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
