£16.5m dock extension at Space City Leicester reaches completion

Brackley Property Developments (BPD) has completed the construction of a new £16.5m low-carbon innovation hub in Leicester for Leicester City Council.

The Dock extension project, part of Leicester’s science and innovation enterprise zone at Space City (formerly Pioneer Park), features three new buildings totaling approximately 65,000 sq ft of purpose-built accommodation for high-tech industries.

Named Docks 3, 4, and 5, the development includes two office buildings spanning around 43,000 sq ft, accommodating up to 45 businesses.

A terrace of nine manufacturing units offers over 21,500 sq ft for start-ups and established businesses seeking expansion space.

The new buildings have net zero carbon in operation and require no gas heating. They incorporate environmentally sustainable features such as low-energy LED lighting, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps and insulation.

The site also includes cycle storage and 12 electric vehicle charging points in a new parking area.

It was supported by £12m from the previous government’s Leveling Up Fund, with The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership providing £3.5m from Enterprise Zone retained business rates.

Stephen Pedrick-Moyle, managing director of BPD, said: “We are very pleased to have delivered the expansion of the successful Dock managed workspace development for Leicester City Council.

“These three new energy-efficient units deliver purpose-built space for exciting new businesses in a range of sectors. Extending the Dock innovation hub will undoubtedly support the attraction and retention of local talent and hi-tech entrepreneurs, ensuring Leicester continues to be a hub for research, production and manufacture in the space industry.”

Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “It’s fantastic to see the next chapter of our innovative workspace development for hi-tech businesses take shape. Space City Leicester is helping to put our city firmly on the map for research, production and manufacture in the space industry.

“We’re proud to contribute to that momentum by further expanding our Dock innovation hub with three new, low-carbon buildings which will help meet demand from businesses keen to locate here from the UK and overseas. The new buildings will also provide valuable grow-on space and much-needed manufacturing facilities for our local talent and high-tech entrepreneurs.

“The new buildings are looking fantastic and I’m particularly pleased that we have been able to work with locally-based Brackley Property Developments as our development partner on this ambitious project.”