ZeroFour development team appointed

Crown Estate Scotland has awarded seven key contracts to four Scottish-based companies for the ZeroFour innovation hub at the former Broomfield airfield to the north of the town.

The team, which now comprises an architect, cost consultant, infrastructure engineer, landscape architect, principal designer, planning consultant and project manager, will work to transform the 123-acre estate into a purpose-built, innovation park that will offer modern infrastructure, green energy solutions and facilities amid the beauty of the Angus coastline.

Construction will support a significant number of jobs and apprenticeships and, ultimately, ZeroFour aims to stimulate hundreds of new jobs, training and re-skilling opportunities, supporting Angus Council’s goal of creating greater diversity of employment.

As part of this, Crown Estate Scotland and Dundee & Angus College have partnered to inspire people of all ages to consider STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) opportunities.

The companies appointed are architect NORR, project manager and cost consultant Turner & Townsend, infrastructure engineer Cundall and landscape architect and planning consultant Ironside Farrar.

Jamie Macfarlane, Crown Estate Scotland’s built development manager, said: “Having this team in place is an important step towards the next stage of this exciting development. ZeroFour is perfectly positioned to support the burgeoning offshore wind sector and wider blue economy.

“We want to offer a great location for companies looking to create, innovate and thrive in the blue and green economies as well as those who simply want a greener and more sustainable base for their business.”

The project aims to offer high quality space with energy-efficient design for a range of businesses, from start-ups to research and development and large-scale manufacturers. Plans include amenity space and hotel accommodation with an emphasis on greener spaces accessible to the community and that enhance the natural surroundings.

John Baird, managing director for NORR said: “Montrose ZeroFour is an ambitious innovation park, and we’re delighted to be working with Crown Estate Scotland. As architects, we’ll work collaboratively with the key stakeholders and design team to develop a design which offers quality of space, flexibility in design, sustainability, and be visually attractive.”

Turner & Townsend has been appointed to project manage the ZeroFour development and will work with Crown Estate Scotland to create a flexible Masterplan which takes into account changing needs for office, industrial and commercial spaces as well as considering the needs of technology, enterprise, research and development firms.

Scott Adams, senior project manager for Turner & Townsend said: “We’re very excited to be working with Crown Estate Scotland to deliver their exciting vision for Montrose ZeroFour. This development will provide valuable jobs and opportunities for the local town of Montrose as well as the wider Angus area within the green and marine-based economy sectors.

"As well as providing both project and cost management support, we’re looking forward to working closely with the local community as well as with the design team to create a really vibrant hub.”

The land at ZeroFour has a long history of innovation, that dates from the First World War, and the development takes its name from the original runway call sign, ‘04 22’.  Montrose Air Station was established in 1914 and played a vital role in securing victory during both World Wars. Crown Estate Scotland is working closely with Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre to preserve the site’s heritage.