Keele Innovation District moves one step closer with backing of Staffordshire local authorities

A major new expansion of Keele University’s Science & Innovation Park which will support 13,000 jobs and contribute £1 billion to the local economy has taken a huge step forward, with senior officials from the region’s local authorities coming together to support the project. 

The high level masterplan for Keele Innovation District was presented this week at the UK’s largest development and place-making event, the Real Estate and Investment Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds. 

First unveiled in 2025, the vision for Keele Innovation District is to create a nationally significant hub for innovation, and a catalyst for major growth throughout the region.  The planned expansion will see the University’s existing Science and Innovation Park, which already brings together businesses, research and education uses, expand into a neighbouring site as part of a wider mixed-use district. 

The Innovation District has now reached a key milestone in its development, with Keele’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Kevin Shakesheff leading a senior delegation to present a further developed masterplan at this year’s UKREiiF, alongside officers from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and Staffordshire County Council.  

All three Local Authorities have actively supported the project over recent years, including ensuring the proposals are built into the Borough Council’s Local Plan, which is expected to be formally adopted within the next few months.    

Work is now under way to formalise the partnership and develop detailed proposals for delivery.  

As well as contributing around £1 billion GVA per annum to the regional economy when completed and providing 5,400 additional jobs onsite, the construction itself will also support around 13,000 jobs in the local area. 

It’s estimated that the expansion will take between 20-25 years to be fully completed given the size of the project, but preparatory work is already under way, with the first phase of the project due to get started within the next two to three years. 

Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: "Our Science and Innovation Park is a great example of how academia and industry can co-exist for mutual benefits; businesses can access the latest academic research, innovations, and a pipeline of graduate talent, while our researchers and students can work with industry leaders at the top of their fields on the problems that matter most to them.  

“With Keele Innovation District this relationship will be even more significant and coupled with the benefits for the wider region this has the potential to be a truly transformative project. I am pleased that our local authority partners share this optimism and look forward to working with them to bring this project to fruition over the years ahead.” 

Simon McEneny, Deputy Chief Executive of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: "We are proud to support Keele University’s plans for the Keele Innovation District. “As major employer in the borough and with an international reputation for excellence, the university has a vital role to play in both creating highly skilled jobs and educating the people who will fill them. 

“We look forward to working closely with the university on this important project.” 

Cllr Robin Hall, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills said: "We are proud at the county council to be one of the early investors in the plans for Keele Innovation District. Developments like this will benefit the entire county through not only the jobs supported during construction, but by cementing Staffordshire's reputation as a place for innovation and collaboration. Supporting the expansion of the Keele Innovation District is very much in line with our strategic economic priorities of enterprise, skills and inclusive growth.” 

Cllr Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “We are pleased to support the expansion of Keele's Science and Innovation park. It is a great example of partnership work, involving local government, to achieve a common goal, and the Keele Innovation District will have a huge impact on the local and regional economy through high-level skills and job creation.”