Newark Air and Space Institute building work starts on old Cattle Market site

Work has started on the multi-million pound Air and Space Institute on Newark’s gateway site.

Approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council in February, the £15m development is one of a number of priority projects identified as part of Newark’s Town Investment Plan.

Representatives from the council, Lincoln College group, the Newark Towns Fund Board and main contractor G F Tomlinson met on site to mark the start of construction today (Wednesday).

Lincoln College director of ASI and strategic growth, Tom Marsden, said: “For Newark students the ASI is a real opportunity for them to get upskilled in air and space engineering, opening up an exciting career with well-paid jobs.

“Starting on the site marks 18 months of planning coming to fruition.”

The building is scheduled to be complete within 12 to 15 months, and will welcome its first students in January 2024, to be trained with the support industry experts including the Royal Air Force, East Midlands Airport, Inzpire, AAR, Leonardo, Eagle Eye, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and the National Space Centre.

Tom Cartledge, Newark Towns Fund co-chairman and Benoy chief executive, added: “After three to four years of waiting it is brilliant to see activity happening on site.

“The project will drive education opportunities for young people and finally seeing the activity is a step in the right direction for the future of the town.”

The ASI was one of a number of priority projects identified as part of Newark’s Town Investment Plan, developed by the Newark Towns Fund Board to regenerate the town centre, boost business and improve infrastructure.

As part of the proposals, £10.6m is being contributed towards the project from the Towns Fund.

“As a towns fund, our key objective was to create long-term opportunities to keep people in the town,” said Mr Cartledge.

“The ASI will build long-term career opportunities through education.”

The building, set to house start-of the art engineering and flight training equipment, including a commercial aircraft, is planned to be an iconic landmark as visitors enter the town .

Rhona Holloway, council portfolio holder for economic development and visitors, said: “It is an important gateway site and a fantastic building.

“It has got such an enormous amount of potential for young people, and it will transform this area.

“I look forward to seeing it finished.”

A higher education partner for the centre is to be announced in the next few weeks.