A prominent industrial unit at St Cross Business Park in Newport is set to be occupied by a national charity, as the Foundation for Liver Research prepares to take over the former Gurit building.
A planning application submitted to the Isle of Wight Council seeks to remove a condition on the building’s original planning consent, which currently restricts its use to being in conjunction with the neighbouring Unit 5.
Unit 3 – which was recently marketed for rent at a cost of £305,000 per year – was formerly occupied by Gurit, which held both Unit 3 and Unit 5 as part of its operations. However, Unit 3 is no longer required by the composites manufacturer.
The Foundation for Liver Research, a UK-based medical research charity, is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of liver disease. Since its formation in 1974, the Foundation has supported vital scientific and clinical research, focusing on liver health, liver failure, and liver cancer. Its work is closely associated with the Institute of Hepatology in London, where it has funded world-leading research programmes.
It is not clear at this stage what the charity’s intentions are for the large industrial site.
If the application is approved, the removal of Condition 12 from planning approval P/01203/99 would enable the Foundation to use Unit 3 independently from Unit 5. Minor external modifications are proposed, including new cycle parking, disabled bays, and electric vehicle charging points, but no structural alterations to the building itself.
The application was submitted in August, and a decision from the Isle of Wight Council is expected by 28th October.
Sounds like a great idea, maybe the charity have read all
the articles about drink drivers on the island.
Makes one wonder if the island is the capital of drink and drug
drivers, it is the Capital of speeding and parking on pavements.
Might be a good idea to invite numpty drink drivers along
to show them the damage drink does to the liver.
Good luck in the new venture.
Have you ever even stepped foot off this island!?
Big space like that, sounds like it could create some employment on the Island which a good thing.