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The University of Sussex is planning a new state-of-the-art Life Sciences building that will create around 600 new jobs across Brighton, Hove and the region.

An application for planning permission has been submitted to Brighton & Hove City Council and Lewes District Council for the development, which will transform the way scientists carry out research and will provide students with a high-tech learning experience.

The world-renowned School, which is one of the University’s largest academic facilities, boasts two previous Nobel Prize-winning scientists, Sir Harry Kroto and Sir John Cornforth, and is known for its high quality teaching and ground-breaking research into conditions such as cancer and neurodegeneration, as well as driving major advances in areas such as ecology and conservation, neuroscience, and drug discovery.

The new building, which has been designed by Hawkins Brown Architects, will remain true to the vision of the University’s founding architect, Sir Basil Spence, and will include the distinctive use of glass, concrete and brick that the institution is known for. 

Set over five floors, the new development, which will be built using the very latest sustainable materials, will include collaborative spaces for staff and students to work in; encouraging molecular biologists, zoologists, neuroscientists, and chemists to carry out research alongside each other to develop new scientific insight. The building’s modern laboratories will also provide high-tech teaching spaces for students. 

In addition, the development will include a new Bio-Innovation Centre, which will be a hub for growing bio-medical businesses, strengthening the University’s partnerships with industry and creating more jobs in the region. 

Professor Michael Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, said: “A big part of this initiative is about giving back to the community and our new building will help to create jobs and boost the local economy.

“By becoming a hub for bio-innovation we will also help to foster an emerging sector in the region – which will have a legacy for years to come.

“We want to develop a building that enables us to teach the scientists of tomorrow, alongside producing ground-breaking research that changes people’s lives and makes local people proud.”

Professor Laurence Pearl, Head of the School of Life Sciences, said: “Our new state-of-the-art building will ensure that we can continue to produce innovative, world-leading research for decades.

“Our School of Life Sciences produces amazing scientists, including Nobel Prize winners, and continues to attract the very best researchers from all over the world to Brighton. 

“The new building will enable our diverse teams of scientists to work more collaboratively alongside each other to make life-changing scientific discoveries.”

The development of the Life Sciences building is part of the University’s overall Campus Masterplan, which was approved by Brighton & Hove City Council in 2015.

The University will be holding a number of public information days about the new Life Sciences building. Members of the team involved in creating the building will be there to answer your questions and tell you more about the project and the School of Life Sciences.

• Wednesday 9 November; 10.00 to 16.00 - Falmer campus, JMS Building, fourth floor common room
• Thursday 10 November; 10.00 to 16.00 - Falmer campus, the Library, ground floor
• Friday 11 November; 11.00 to 15.00 - Open Market, 1 Marshalls Row,  Brighton BN1 4JU, including science activities for children and adults run by some of our own scientists
• Saturday 12 November; 10.00 to 17.00 - Open Market, including science activities for children and adults run by some of our own scientists
• Monday 14 & Tuesday 15 November; 12.00 to 16.30 - University of Sussex Information Centre, 91 Lewes Rd, Brighton BN2 3HZ