Dyson to open multi-million pound R&D centre in Wiltshire

Engineer James Dyson is to open a new multi-million pound research and development centre in north Wiltshire.

The entrepreneur announced yesterday (Tuesday) that he had bought the 517-acre former RAF base at Hullavington, near his Malmesbury HQ.

But company chiefs are remaining tight-lipped about what new product will be developed at the site.

Sir James said: “After 25 years of UK growth, and continuing expansion globally, we are fast outgrowing our Malmesbury Campus.

“The 517-acre Hullavington Campus is an investment for our future, creating a global hub for our research and development endeavours.

“It will enable us to continue creating world class products and jobs right here in the Cotswolds.”

The firm said it hopes to create 3,500 new jobs across its two sites at Malmesbury and Hullavington.

The news was welcomed by prime minister Theresa May, who called it a “vote of confidence in our modern industrial strategy and our determination to cement the UK’s position as a world leader in high-tech engineering.”

Before the technology campus can be built, the company will need to get planning approval from Wiltshire Council.