A MAJOR new office development in Daresbury is a step nearer, with construction contracts now out to tender.

Project Violet will see 43,000sq ft of new office space created at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

Three three-storey buildings will be constructed at the ‘gateway’ to the science and technology campus, next to Keckwick Lane and Innovation Way.

Sci-Tech Daresbury has now begun the tender process to select a building contractor for the scheme, which was granted planning permission by Halton Borough Council in February.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer, and will take around a year to complete.

Warrington Guardian:

Key road routes through Sci-Tech Daresbury will also be improved as part of the project.

Sci-Tech Daresbury board member Neal Biddle said: "Project Violet is the latest phase in the expansion of our award-winning Sci-Tech Daresbury site, providing new buildings that continue to support the growing demand to accommodate science, research and innovation businesses.

"We have over the last two years substantially upgraded and expanded the campus and this further development underlines not only our ongoing success, but also our commitment to the region and the market demand for what we are proposing.

"The campus is now home to more than 130 businesses and we have regular enquiries from others looking to relocate or start, so the need for this space is critical and the plan is for work to start next summer completing 12 months later."