Balfour Beatty, through its Mansell brand, has been awarded a £5.4 million contract for a two storey extension to the Hethel Engineering Centre in Norfolk.

The work follows on from the company's completion of the original Hethel Engineering Centre. The new 3,716 square metres extension will house 32 incubator units as well as internal stores, toilets and a plant room.

The new centre will enable expansion both in terms of incubation space and business support, as well as facilitating the development of an 'Innovation Hub' focused on delivering low carbon innovation.

The Hethel Innovation project is part financed by the East of England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme 2007 to 2013. Work is underway with completion scheduled for early 2014.

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Sustainability was a key aspect in the design of the new facility. The extension will be heated by a biomass heating system housed in a purpose built building at the rear, together with the use of photovoltaic cells and air source pumps. The foul water system has been designed to connect to the centre's existing drainage system, which ultimately discharges into the Engineering Centre’s own sewerage treatment plant. Soft landscaping will include as much excess soil from the construction of the building as possible, significantly minimising waste to landfill.

As well as new car parking areas, the external works will include a cycle path from Wymondham Road to the new facility making it easier for people to cycle to work at the Engineering Centre.

Simon Coward from the Hethel Engineering Centre, said: "We are delighted to have appointed Balfour Beatty for the construction of this important project. High performance and manufacturing companies are coming to Norfolk to exploit their potential and this extension will enable us to support them further and see business success in our region."

(CD/MH)