Imperial War Museums (IWM) and University of Cambridge’s Gonville & Caius College have selected Henry Boot’s development arm as their preferred development partner for Duxford AvTech.
HDB will be responsible for securing planning permission, funding, developing, building and operating the zero-carbon aircraft tech centre.
IWM and Gonville & Caius College announced plans in June 2024 to develop a new 45,000 sq m centre for the next generation of sustainable air transport at IWM Duxford.
Duxford AvTech will be the UK’s new home for the research and development, prototype testing, certification and manufacture of new low- and zero-carbon advanced air mobility technologies.
The technologies that will be developed include electric, hydrogen and hybrid-powered aircraft, alternative power sources, new materials, and associated technologies and services to shape future air transport.
IWM and Gonville & Caius College said they selected HBD following an extensive public procurement process supported by real estate consultancies Newmark and Bidwells.
Zero-emission flight
Vicky Stanbury, executive director of commercial and operations at IWM, said: “We are looking forward to collaborating with [HBD] to deliver this ambitious project to support the research and manufacture of new, low-carbon aviation technologies.
“Embracing pioneering aviation technology is part of Duxford’s story and tradition, and we look forward to seeing this tradition embraced once again through Duxford AvTech.”
Professor Rob Miller, a fellow of Gonville & Caius College and director of the
Whittle Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, said: “Achieving zero-emission flight is one of the greatest challenges facing society.
“The proximity of Duxford AvTech to the world-leading research capabilities of the University of Cambridge’s Whittle Laboratory offers a unique opportunity to translate fundamental research into new aerospace industries. The selection of HBD as preferred development partner is an important step toward making this vision a reality.”
