Work on the state-of-the-art building, designed by award-winning architects HASSELL, is expected to start in October 2015 and it is scheduled for completion in December 2016.
Professor Andrew Lloyd, Dean of the university’s College of Life, Health and Physical Sciences, said: “We are delighted the city council has approved the project which will complement the university’s ongoing investment to support the expansion of engineering at the University of Brighton.”
The AEC will support the expansion and enhancement of the partnership between consultancy business, Ricardo, and the university to advance the design and development of low-carbon internal combustion systems, with the wider objectives of advancing technological knowledge and supporting the advanced training needs of the next generation of engineers for the region.
The existing facilities used by Ricardo and the university are divided between Shoreham and Brighton and present limited scope for growth and enhancement.
Prof Lloyd added: “A central facility is required which will further enhance joint working, allow the installation of state-of-the-art equipment, provide flexibility for future expansion and create opportunities for the cross transfer of knowledge, ideas and practices between Ricardo and the university and support the integration of teaching and research in engineering.
It is said the Centre will generate around 30 to 35 additional research posts, 15 additional academic/technical engineering posts to support teaching, and it will deliver an additional 60 trained engineering graduates per annum into the local employment market.
Other local engineering companies will have access to the manufacturing facilities and expertise of the Centre. Training and support will be readily accessible to local companies to increase skill levels in the existing workforce.
