Transport planner JMP has provided transport and highways advice for a four hectare expansion of Kent Science Park near Sittingbourne which will ultimately lead to 500 new jobs.

Kent Science Park (KSP) has been granted planning consent by Swale Borough Council for the four hectare expansion and a development of start-up technology units, which have been designed in response to the success of a previous similar development on the site.

The expansion, which is expected to bring £15 to £20 million of investment to Swale, also includes detailed planning permission for a new headquarters building for an existing client, Ecologia, an environmental consultancy/contractor. Ecologia was named Swale Company of the Year at the Swale Business Awards in 2007.

Already one of the largest science park campuses in the South East, KSP’s expansion will provide accommodation for up to 400 additional employees, with a further 100 jobs in the technology units.

JMP, commissioned by the site managers LaSalle Investment Management, has provided transport and highways advice throughout the development of the schemes and the planning application process, and produced a comprehensive transport assessment and a draft travel plan.

The highway package developed includes on-site highway improvements to the local road network, new signage to improve vehicle routing, a travel plan to promote sustainable travel choices and car sharing and the improvement of local bus services.

JMP has been retained to assist with the implementation and monitoring of the highways package.