Perfectly placed in the centre of southern England, on the edge of both the South East and South West Regional Development Agency areas, Salisbury and south Wiltshire offer everything a business needs to thrive including excellent communication links and high quality commercial properties like those at Solstice Park.

Out of office, Salisbury offers an outstanding quality of life – the city is set in the heart of beautiful countryside and is justly famous for its spectacular cathedral and medieval buildings.

Many leading companies have already realised the advantages of Salisbury and south Wiltshire, from hi-tech ventures, through financial institutions and manufacturers who are noted for excellence in their field, to world-class research institutes. Key players include:

• Friends Provident
• Capita PPML
• James Hay Pension Trustees
• Chemring Countermeasures/Pains Wessex
• Mahle Filter Systems
• Wilton Carpets.

The area is well known for its particularly thriving scientific community based in the internationally renowned world-class research and development facilities, many of which are located within the Salisbury Research Triangle.  These include:

• DSTL (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory)
• QinetiQ
• the Health Protection Agency (HPA) – Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response (CEPR)

To find out more about biotechnology and the Salisbury Research Triangle go to our biotechnology page and download our ‘Hi-tech industries’ brochure.

Porton Bioscience and Technology Centre
Work is set to begin in 2008 on Porton Bioscience and Technology Centre –10 hectares of land have been earmarked to combine elements of both a science park and business incubation facilities, with the emphasis on bioscience to complement DSTL and CEPR activity. Ideally placed to maximise opportunities for both spin off companies and direct trading with the two agencies, the site’s development is crucial to commercialisation of intellectual property in bioscience and across other technologies.

Project Inspire
Created by the partial privatisation of parts of the MOD and other government initiatives, DSTL’s Project Inspire is co-ordinating the relocation of around 800 jobs to Porton Down, and the construction of c20,000 m² of new office and laboratory space. 

Porton Masterplan
Salisbury District Council’s 2006 Masterplan, produced in conjunction with relevant agencies, responds to the identified needs of DSTL and HPA and plans for the new PBTC. Presenting an overview of planning issues and setting out a range of agreed objectives for the site, the Masterplan has been adopted by the district council as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Salisbury Vision – proud of our past, forging our future.

Our major Vision project to guide the development of and investment in Salisbury city centre over the next 20+ years. This plan for the city’s future is led by the Salisbury Vision Board, comprising a partnership of public and private sector organisations supported by Wiltshire Council.  Current projects include:

• A major mixed-use retail led development on the 7.5ha Maltings and Central Car Park in the city centre.
• A programme of enhancements to the city’s Market Place.
• Transformation of Churchfields, the main 33 hectare industrial site, into a new, mixed use city quarter
• Development of a public realm strategy for the city centre.
  

The Vision will ensure Salisbury remains a vibrant, safe, sustainable and attractive city for residents and visitors for many years to come.

For more information on this project go to the Salisbury Vision website www.salisburyvision.co.uk or contact Richard Walters, the Director of Salisbury Vision on 01722 434495.

Stats

Population: Salisbury city 44,200 (2005)
Population density: 1:15 persons per hectare (2005)
Earnings: Median weekly earnings (fulltime) resident: £431.20 workplace: £413.90
(2006)
House prices: Average (2006) £247,420

Link to south Wiltshire Economic Assessment