Plans have been approved to expand an innovation centre in Fareham.

The £7 million project at Fareham Innovation Centre will be carried out by Morgan Sindall. Completion is scheduled for spring 2018.

The proposed three-storey facility will provide 3,400 sq m of new floor space, 33 flexible offices and five workshops for start-up businesses with a focus on engineering, aerospace, aviation and marine industries.

The steel frame extension has been designed to blend with the existing Centre, while associated external works and landscaping will be delivered, as well as an extended parking provision. Overall, the project is targeting a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) rating of Very Good.

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Overall, it is expected the new development will create 292 new jobs.

Cllr Seán Woodward said: "The extension to the successful existing Innovation Centre is great news for Daedalus and the Solent Enterprise Zone. The existing building exceeded all expectations and reached full occupancy within its first year of opening. There are many business that want to use space at the Centre which will enable them to prosper and grow."

Tim Elliott, special works manager at Morgan Sindall, said: "We're delighted to have reached final phase discussions with the council on this flagship scheme which will allow even more start-up businesses in Fareham to benefit from world-class technical facilities where they can prosper and grow."

(LM/CD)