Blast off - work starts on new £15m air and space training facility in Newark

Construction work has started on the new £15.4m Air and Space Institute (ASI) in Newark – and the state-of-the-art training facility is due to open in early September 2024.

The ASI was pleased to have Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Visitors, Councillor Rhona Holloway, from Newark and Sherwood District Council and Newark Town Board Co-Chair Tom Cartledge on-site for the official turf-cutting ceremony this afternoon.

Being built adjacent to the Newark and Sherwood District Council offices on the former Cattle Market site, the ASI was one of a number of priority projects identified as part of Newark’s Town Investment Plan, which was developed by the Newark Town Board to regenerate the town centre, boost business and improve infrastructure. As part of the proposals, £10.6 is being contributed towards the project from the Towns Fund.

Lincoln College Director of ASI and Strategic Growth, Tom Marsden, said: “This new HQ for the Air and Space Institute will be an iconic landmark for Newark as people enter the town. It’s also hugely exciting for our current and future students, who’ll be training to be pilots and engineers in the civil and military aviation and space industries.

“This project represents the vision, drive and tenacity of our partners; the District Council, Newark Town Board, STEM architects, our main contractor G F Tomlinson and our aviation industry partners.

“ASI is putting Newark on the map in terms of education and training. Our students are already taking flying lessons and training on real aircraft. This new facility will be truly world-class and attract students from all over the UK. This brings investment, new resources and a huge boost to existing and emerging businesses in Newark.

“We’re already training the pilots and aircraft engineers of the future and our Space Engineering programmes for school-leavers start in September. All of our programmes go from level 2 and 3 right up to higher national diplomas and degree-level and we will be in a position to make an exciting announcement about a new local university partner in the next few weeks.”

Councillor Rhona Holloway, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Visitors at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Today marks the start of the exciting construction of a new Air and Space Institute located in Newark.

“The facility will train the next generation of pilots, engineers and aviation ground crew – providing young people who dream of flying a plane or working in the aviation or space industries the opportunity to have that dream turned into reality.

“To reach this point has involved a huge amount of work and I’d like to pay tribute to Lincoln College Group, Newark Town Board and colleagues within Newark and Sherwood District Council.”

 Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson said: “We were delighted to be appointed as the main contractor on this development.

“The project will provide students at the Lincoln College Group with a state-of-the-art facility and enable the ASI to offer first-class training at a brand-new campus in the heart of Newark.

“We are extremely pleased to have secured this project under the Pagabo National Framework for Major Construction Works. Through our early contractor involvement and close collaboration with the Client team, we look forward to turning Lincoln College Group’s vision into a reality by providing a world-class training facility for young people throughout the region.”