Construction on the three-storey structure is set to begin shortly. Credit: Gateway 14.

Gateway 14 has selected Wilten Construction to build the Skills & Innovation centre at the Gateway 14 site near Junction 50 of the A14 road in Stowmarket, Suffolk, England.

Construction on the £18m ($22.4m), three-storey centre is set to begin soon.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council owns the facility and Gateway 14 is responsible for the development of the project. The operator of the facility is yet to be appointed.

Gateway 14 is part of Freeport East and will include a 35,000ft² facility featuring office space for high-growth startups, collaboration and innovation areas, training and meeting rooms, and a café.

The centre is a collaborative effort with West Suffolk College and the Universities of Suffolk and Essex and aims to capitalise on opportunities in sectors such as the green economy and digital/AI technology.

Gateway 14 chair Christopher Haworth said: “The construction contract award and imminent ground-breaking is likely to see the skills and innovation centre open for business within 12-18 months which is great news.

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“It has the potential to be an iconic and market-leading new centre for innovation and skills in green sectors within the eastern region and particularly for the Mid Suffolk area.”

The design of the building prioritises sustainability and aims to reduce its carbon footprint.

It will incorporate a hybrid hydronic variable refrigerant flow heating and cooling system powered by an external air-source heat pump.

Sustainability initiatives include 20% of parking spaces fitted with active electric vehicle charging stations and an on-site battery storage system linked to the rooftop photovoltaic panels.

Wilten Construction director Naim Basha said: “Wilten is delighted to have been appointed for the second time by Jaynic for the design-and-build contract for the Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14, delivering on our Wilten promise and generating a repeat business relationship.

“Having recently completed Pioneer Park at Leicester, Wilten will add great value to this scheme, and we look forward to undertaking this prestigious project that will have a positive impact on both the local economy and the community.”