RAU launching consultation on £100m Cirencester plans

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) is launching a consultation on its plans to develop a sustainable, carbon neutral Innovation Village on a 29-acre site at its Cirencester campus.The establishment initially unveiled its plans for the proposed £100m development – which will be home to a community of entrepreneurs, policymakers, practitioners and researchers committed to addressing major global challenges – in January.It is now inviting the public to come and see the proposals for themselves.Vice-chancellor professor Peter McCaffery said: “Ever since we first discussed this concept, we have always felt that it is vitally important to engage with local people, as well as other stakeholders and businesses, not only to keep them abreast of our plans but also to make sure they are able to ask us any questions they may have.”Although the RAU is a global university, our home town of Cirencester will always be very special to us. While we know we need to grow and develop, it is vital that we take the town with us on this journey and that we help the people of the town to understand what we are doing and why, and give them to opportunity to have their say.”The RAU is holding two open sessions on 27 June for local people to come and find out more. It is also holding separate meetings with local businesses and organisations, as well as community groups, councils and charities, to give them the opportunity to feedback.It hopes to be in a position to submit an application to Cotswold District Council later this year with a view to gaining full planning consent by next spring.Professor McCaffery said: “The Innovation Village, which will comprise a number of integrated areas including a Research and Innovation centre, live/work residential units, business start-up and support spaces, as well as business and conferencing hospitality facilities, is central to the RAU’s vision.”It aims to support industry, food producers, farmers, and landowners in developing sustainable solutions to food production while maintaining soil health and building resilience in rural communities.”Our location in Cirencester is important to us and we are committed to ensuring that the Innovation Village will push the boundaries of sustainable design to ensure a development that is beautiful, carbon neutral, rich in nature, and inspires innovation through its environment.”