UK maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) specialist Marshall Aerospace has had its Outline Planning Application (OPA) for a new facility at Cranfield University approved by Central Bedfordshire Council, the company announced on 19 April 2023.
Marshall Aerospace announced its intention to relocate its UK headquarters away from Cambridge City Airport in 2019 as part of a long-term investment plan.
The proposed new site at Cranfield Airport will cover around 35 hectares of land. Once established in its new facility and running at capacity, Marshall’s Aerospace business is expected to employ up to 1,200 people, many of whom will be involved in skilled aircraft MRO work while other roles will cover a wide range of support and managerial areas.
Cranfield University is the UK’s top destination for aerospace engineering postgraduate studies and the largest UK provider of accredited aerospace degree courses. It is the only university in Europe with its own airport and runway.
The approval of the OPA validates the general principles of site development for the uses proposed by Marshall and enables the business to begin detailed design work for the first phase of its development at Cranfield in preparation for a Reserved Matters planning application.
“Today’s decision is an exciting milestone in the relocation of our UK Aerospace headquarters,” Marshall Group CEO Kathy Jenkins was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Central Bedfordshire Council’s planning team and Cranfield University have been invaluable partners and supporters of our shared vision for the future of our Aerospace business.
“We are also very grateful to all the residents and representatives of local communities for their active engagement throughout the consultation process. As we work through the next level of detail with our partners and stakeholders, we will continue our dialogue with the local community to ensure we maximise the value of our presence in the region.”
The vice-chancellor and chief executive of Cranfield University, Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng, also welcomed the news. “The relocation of Marshall Aerospace to Cranfield University will bring to the region new opportunities for collaboration in research and innovation, as well as raising the aspiration for skills development,” she said. “The new state-of-the-art facilities will complement our university capabilities, particularly our global research airport, and further our work with industry and government.”
Peter Felstead
