Crawley Innovation Centre Gets Green Light
Crawley is set for a major tech and economic boost as the new Innovation Centre has secured planning permission. This vital project is a cornerstone of Crawley’s Economic Recovery Plan 2022-2037 and promises to transform the town’s future.
Big Bucks Back the Build
The council’s Planning Committee gave the thumbs up on 1 November, pushing ahead with plans closely tied to the Coast to Capital “Build Back Smarter, Stronger and Greener” strategy. Earlier this year, Crawley Borough Council bagged £8.4 million from the government’s “Getting Building Fund” to design, build, and launch the centre.
On top of that, £2.5 million more came via the Crawley Towns Fund programme to help set up the centre’s operations. In March, the council snapped up the TUI Travel House in Manor Royal Business District, with building work expected to start early 2023 and the centre opening by year’s end.
Tech Hub for Clean Energy and Quantum Innovation
The Innovation Centre will become a high-tech hotspot, supporting Crawley’s advanced engineering firms and growing sectors like clean energy and quantum tech. It will provide crucial “grow-on” space for small businesses to scale up, prototype, and showcase new cutting-edge technologies in green energy and transportation.
This facility will ramp up innovation and R&D output across Crawley and the wider Gatwick Diamond area. It’s set to unlock new manufacturing jobs and attract fresh business investment, helping the town meet its carbon reduction goals with an expanding cluster of green energy companies.
Creating Jobs and Academic Links
With a target of over 200 new jobs and benefits for up to 40 local firms, the centre will fuel Crawley’s economic recovery and draw in high-value investment. It will also link with Crawley College and universities in Brighton, Chichester, and Sussex to offer apprenticeships, support SMEs, and accommodate cutting-edge academic spin-outs.
“The Crawley Innovation Centre is a hugely exciting project, which will help to create new jobs and increase diversification in our economy,” said Councillor Atif Nawaz, Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development. “A key benefit of the centre will be that it expands the capacity of Crawley’s green energy businesses – hugely important as we look to meet our carbon reduction targets.”
