Essex to capitalise on success of Silicon Fen

Essex University is to create a 16-hectare high-tech research park at its Colchester headquarters in a bid to make more out of its intellectual property.

The university has signed a ten-year deal with property developer Carisbrooke to create the park, designed to ride on the back of the success of the Silicon Fen cluster of spin-off companies around Cambridge University.

"The aim is to provide high-tech accommodation on campus for established companies and for new start-up businesses capable of benefiting from closer links with our leading-edge research work," said Tony Rich, the university's registrar.