PLANS for new state-of-the-art premises for the Health Protection Agency (HPA) at Porton Down were unveiled to councillors and members of the public on Tuesday.
The proposal, backed by the Department of Health, was announced last September after MPs raised concerns about ageing laboratories being poorly maintained.
Speaking at a meeting of Amesbury Area Board, HPA deputy director Tim Harry said the current premises were built more than 55 years ago and are safe but no longer suitable.
“If the redevelopment is not done, then significant capabilities can be lost, which would be very difficult to restart on again,” he said.
“Really we see this as an opportunity. We have world class scientists and we need world class facilities to maintain them.”
Mr Harry said the UK got a lot out of the research facility, currently situated at the south of the site, which researches diseases such as swine flu.
The new laboratories and training centre would be built on a 38-acre field north of the site, and staff would continue working in the current facility while the work was carried out.
It is not yet known what will happen to the old site.
Plans are due to go to the Department of Health by April, a full business case is to be submitted for approval by April 2011 and work is anticipated to start in early 2013 and be completed by 2015/16.
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