A planning application has been submitted for a new nuclear energy facility at the former Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park following support for the proposal from the majority of Berkeley residents.
Chiltern Vital Group purchased the 40-acre land from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in August 2024 and revealed artist impressions of the site on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
If approved, the new 600,000 sq ft facility will offer spaces for research and development, laboratories, offices, manufacturing and education facilities and will create up to 1,000 new jobs in the Gloucestershire area.
This proposal sees the land going back to its nuclear roots, as before it was turned into a Technology Park in 2016 it was home to a Magnox nuclear reactor power station, until it was closed down in 1989.
Chiltern Vital is also in talks with investors Quantum Leap Energy and Astral Systems about building technology centres on site.
The Group have received support for their proposed facility so far, with 89 per cent of consultation responses either agreeing or strongly agreeing when asked if they 'support the proposal to deliver a new world-class science and technology park.'
Project manager, Gerry Hughes, said: 'We're delighted that we have now submitted our plans to place Berkeley at the forefront of scientific research and innovation.'
'I thank everyone who has engaged with us regarding our plans to date and welcome the support we have received from the local community alongside the investor confidence the project has already achieved.'
Though widely revered, the development has faced some criticism from several Gloucestershire charities that currently use the former technology park to operate, as the plans mean they will be forced to vacate their current spaces and find new homes.
Now that the application has been submitted, it will be up to Stroud District Council to decide if the redevelopment of the land into a low-carbon energy 'super cluster' can proceed.
