Tissue backs calls for major science park

Managing director Antony Odell, whose company develops implants to regrow body parts, said it is outgrowing its home at York Science Park.

The company recently raised £25m to commercialise its innovative technology, which was spun out of the University of Leeds.

But Mr Odell said it and other science firms need a dedicated science park, where they can grow and develop as a cluster, to retain skills and wealth in Yorkshire.

“I recognise that these are difficult times but healthcare and life sciences – if you get it right – is a very good thing to build,” he said.

“We are looking at premises in York and Leeds. There’s not a dedicated bio park in Leeds.

“York Science Park is fine when you’re a small company but when you’re our size it gets a bit more difficult.

“There’s an awareness that that has to change. There’s a recognition that there needs to be a place to put companies like ourselves who are growing.”

The company said it outgrew a “tiny” office at Leeds University to move to York, but needs to move again as its workforce heads towards 35 staff. Leeds City Council said it has narrowed down five possible sites to develop a healthcare science park. The sites include Leeds Valley Park, Logic Leeds, Thorpe Park, Hawks Park and Thorp Arch Estate near Wetherby.

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