Date

Milestone

2005

Sept

Waveney Campus Project (WCP) partnership is created

Feasibility study carried out and potential sites in and around Lowestoft identified

Dec

EEDA joins the Project Board

2006

Feb

Initial contact made with landowners at the site to outline general details of the project

March

Possible sites narrowed down to two – the former Shell base at Commercial Road and the Riverside Business Park

April

Suffolk County Council confirm commitment to WCP at a Cabinet meeting

May

Negotiations with land owners formally opened

June

Defra gives full backing to the project with a Ministerial announcement by Lord Rooker, the Minister responsible for Defra’s laboratory strategy plans

July

Decision is made on the most suitable site for Waveney Campus. The Waveney District Council Executive Committee agrees to progress with plans to acquire the site

Architects appointed

August

Waveney District Council formally approves the compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the land on the agreed site

Oct

Design work begins

Nov

The CPO is issued to landowners

Dec

Objections to the CPO received by Waveney District Council

1st East join the project board

2007

Jan

Project board signs-off the Outline Business Case (OBC)

Procurement strategy agreed and loan funding confirmed

Public inquiry plan announced

Feb

Office of Government Commerce confirms the project is affordable and value for money; the OBC is considered a model of best practice

April

OJEU (procurement) notice goes out

Public inquiry begins 17th April

June

Public inquiry reconvenes but is adjourned to enable redrafting of the laboratories; some land unlikely to be needed

Oct

Public inquiry reconvenes and concludes after land objections are withdrawn

2008

Jan

Public Consultation

Feb

Submit planning application

Nov

Enabling works start on site

2009

Spring

Construction begins

2010

Sept

Construction completed

Autumn

Occupation of the building