McLaren Applied Technologies Centre

[Pup]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what happened to the McLaren Applied Technologies Centre, otherwise known as the "McLaren GSK Centre for Applied Performance" (I think - at least I don't think they were two different buildings)?

It was supposed to open last year, but to my knowledge, hasn't even begun construction. It was supposed to have a new, advanced wind tunnel, much like the Toyota facility.

https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/09 ... n-factory/

This is from the 2011 GSK press release -

A new state of the art learning facility will also be built as part of the agreement, focused on developing UK engineering skills and processes. Called the 'McLaren GSK Centre for Applied Performance', it will be located at McLaren’s Headquarters in Woking and open in 2013. Employees from both organisations and business partners will be able to use the facility to share ideas and collaborate on joint working projects.

Google earth still shows trees and pasture.

[ChrisF1]

Google earth still shows the freshly painted doors of a car I built in 2008, I wouldn't read too much into what it shows.

[Pup]

Yeah, but it's not like McLaren to keep quiet about progress. If they'd started construction, I'd have at least expected a wordy press release from Ron. But no mention of the center whatsoever on their website, plus there's nothing about it on Foster's website, and he's their architect of choice.

It's like the whole thing has been swept under the rug and forgotten. I posted a comment on Saward's blog about it - he still seems to be well connected there so maybe he'll know.

[R_Redding]

They seem to be still in the planning permission stage...maybe having modified the plans to satisfy some of their detractors.

http://caps.woking.gov.uk/online-applic ... GA3RU39000


The ottershaw society seem to be against and more developments

http://www.ottershawsociety.org/categor ... y/mclaren/

Rob

[Gridlock]

Is this it?

http://caps.woking.gov.uk/online-applic ... GA3RU39000

"Pending Consideration"

PS I think we found what Ron's been writing these past few years. My eyes hurts after 5 minutes on that site.

Edit - Ha, beaten to it.

[Pup]

Great work, guys!

So it seems that it's not abandoned, but just taking much longer than anticipated.

[Richard]

The first application was made in 2011:

http://caps.woking.gov.uk/online-applic ... Z5IRU01200

The application linked in the earlier post were the details to discharge reserved matters, ie the conditions that have to be met before construction starts. That was only submitted on 18 Dec, expected decision is 20th March

[podpi]

Found this thread cos I was curious too. The above links have been updated with approval of the plans and maps (as of April 2014).