A state-of-the art facility will be built close to Cranbrook - and aims to place the South West at the ‘forefront’ of human-centred research and innovation.
The 1,237 sq. m engineering building will provide valuable research and development space for the University of Exeter.
District planning bosses approved the facility’s build - the first to be sited within Exeter Science Park’s Anning Drive cluster - last week.
A reserved matters application said: “The facility is unique, global and state-of-the-art, which will place the South West at the forefront of research and innovation into diverse areas such as human centred building design, development of treatments for Parkinson’s disease, psychological methods to encourage wellbeing and numerous other multidisciplinary opportunities.”
Last year, the university secured a £4.8million grant for ‘V Simulators’ - a unique facility for exploring how people experience motion and vibrations in the build environment, such as sway in tall buildings, vibration of lively floors, or movement of footbridges.
The application added: “Universities of Exeter, Bath and Bristol are collaboratively developing further multi-£m grant applications which will be associated with the new engineering building.
“With a growing pipeline of research proposals from all sectors, we envisage the V Simulators becoming a key facility attracting research capability, economic growth, business development and greater international recognition to the region.”
The new engineering building, which will be positioned between Anning Drive and Langaton Lane, will provide office accommodation, potential dry lab and special double height space to house the V-Sim equipment - all across three floors.
A chamber is proposed to accommodate a 4m x 4m platform which can be physically and virtually reconfigured for simulation of subtle vibrational movements.
The applicant said it is ‘critical’ the engineering building is ready for installation as the equipment is currently in design and will be delivered in July next year.
The scheme also includes 30 parking space, including two disabled bays, and a covered cycle parking area for up to 12 bikes.
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