PORTON still has a bright future with many of positive developments ahead, following the announcement today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the relocation of Public Health England (PHE), says Wiltshire Council.

Most of the PHE presence currently occupying a shared site with Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down will move to new public health labs in Harlow, in Essex.

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Whilst it is disappointing to learn of this decision, it is not unexpected and the council has been working with the Government and other stakeholders for some time looking at the potential future of the Porton campus in acknowledgement of the uncertainty surrounding the future of PHE at this location.

“It is important to recognise that under the current proposals not all of PHE’s activities will be relocating and that substantial elements of the manufacturing, for example, including Porton BioPharma, will still remain.

“DSTL meanwhile is consolidating and growing its presence at Porton. The MoD is investing around £115m on projects which will see around 650 jobs relocating to the Porton campus.

“We have been working closely with PHE to explore the future opportunities both in respect of those activities that will remain at Porton and potential new activities drawing upon the wider Porton site.”

John Glen, MP for Salisbury, said: “I am extremely disappointed to hear this decision has finally been confirmed. I have had four debates and lobbied hard for five years but the question now is how to maximise the opportunities for a brighter future for Porton.

“I met the Chancellor yesterday and he has readily agreed to support a task force for Porton. I will be meeting Jane Scott tomorrow to make sure the best possible future is secured for the science park and that new private sector investment is secured to reinvent this estate.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: "A jointly-funded study with PHE is currently underway to understand the assets that exist at Porton, in particular those relating to the control of infectious diseases both at PHE and DSTL.

"This will to help identify future Porton-based opportunities and support the growth of the science park. The study is likely to include an examination of how vacated buildings at the current PHE Porton facility can be reused to accommodate new activity and commercial opportunities.

"Today’s development does not affect the Government’s funding commitment to deliver the first £10 million phase of the Porton Science Park. 

"Construction will start on site next year for the first part of an overall 355,000sq.ft development that will support up to 2,000 new jobs.

"Not only will this safeguard existing jobs at Porton, it will act as a catalyst for significant employment growth and inward investment in the life sciences cluster 'outside the wire' at Porton, building on the international reputation of the institutions at Porton and attracting strong inward investment and export opportunities.

"Wiltshire Council and the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) have identified life sciences as a priority for growth within the area and have both invested in the development of the life science cluster at Porton.

"This recognises the fact that there are already an estimated 220 research active companies and a further 30 public sector research organisations active in the cluster area with around 25,000 people employed. The aim is to grow this to 30,000+ by 2020."