What is an Agritech Park?

A comprehensive and coordinated site that can accommodate and support the emerging agritech sector in the UK

The project recognises the way that agritech and controlled environment agriculture has been expanding in the UK. We have many of the leading firms in the sector, and they need specialist space where they can share facilities, supply chain and research and development. Being in a larger, single campus location means they can achieve economies of scale, share resilient energy supplies and maximise the efficiency of distribution and logistics.

The various land uses on the site are focused around resolving issues of food production and food security, that have been growing as an issue for some years and have now been brought into sharp focus with the cost of living crisis, global unrest and conflicts impacting production and the supply chain pressures caused by policy changes (Brexit, environmental controls, pesticide issues).

We believe that Aiskew is the very first integrated development of “Controlled Environment Agriculture” facilities located and supported to deliver robust supply chains to a regional marketplace – but it is unlikely to be the last, and is intended to become a model for other facilities across the country.

Core Principles

We think it is vital that a large scale development like this is sustainable and has clear benefits for the local community and the environment. With this in mind, we have set EIGHT Core Principles that the scheme is designed against, and which can be used to test and evaluate that it meets the objectives set for it. The objectives are:

Principle 1

to provide agri-tech development that delivers greater produce than the open fields it replaces.

Principle 2

to deliver a secure, reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy solution.

Principle 3

ensure that every single square metre of the site has a beneficial, value creating and productive purpose.

Principle 4

to develop a landscape-led approach so that the development knits into its setting as a legitimate part of the agricultural landscape.

Principle 5

to make provision for education and development of agriculture and food-tech sectors by providing space and facilities for training and development.

Principle 6

to make the scheme a centre for agri-tech R&D opportunities by establishing an agriculture project hub and innovation space.

Principle 7

to be a model for other agri-tech hubs and initiatives in the UK, sharing knowledge and experience on an “open source” basis.

Principle 8

to ensure the viability of the proposition in land value terms.