Phased departure from Essex science laboratory

A phased departure from a government science laboratory in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, was announced today. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) will close its Essex facility by the end of 2008.

Cefas is consolidating its activities from existing laboratories at Burnham-on-Crouch and Lowestoft into a new-build site, known as the Waveney Campus, at Lowestoft, Suffolk. The new scientific and administrative complex will house some 1,000 employees from Cefas, Waveney District Council and Suffolk County Council, and is a major plank in Cefas' transformation programme. The Campus is due to be opened in late 2010.

Key to Cefas' plans is the Burnham Relocation Project. Transferring Burnham staff and equipment will allow the agency to move ahead with the re-organisation of its business processes and management structure, a fundamental aspect of its wider transformation programme.

The laboratory move is scheduled to commence in early spring 2008, with the main removal effort occurring during the summer. It is envisaged that the site will be empty and fully decommissioned by the end of December 2008.

Dr Lindsay Murray, Divisional Director and Burnham-on-Crouch Senior Manager, said: "Cefas is very sad to be leaving Burnham-on-Crouch after more than 50 years in the town. I can assure you that the decision to leave was not taken lightly."

"There are major advantages in terms of our business transformation plans that can be gained by moving, including better links between teams, achieving cost savings and beginning new ways of working, all of which will help Cefas to meet the modern commercial challenges it faces."     

She continued: "The agency has become very much a part of the local community so we shall all miss the town and its people. We shall carry many fond memories with us to Suffolk. In the meantime, Cefas is working closely with the local councils, the police and its near neighbours to ensure there is a smooth departure and minimal disruption during the coming months."

At this stage there is no clarity about who might take the premises after Cefas has departed. The decision is in the hands of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) - Cefas' parent department. It will handle negotiations, and any eventual sale, once the site has been vacated and fully decommissioned.

Notes to editors

1. Cefas is an internationally renowned scientific research and advisory establishment, based at Lowestoft since 1902. It currently also has laboratories at Burnham-on-Crouch and Weymouth, and a number of other facilities around the UK.

2. Operating as an executive agency of Defra, Cefas works alongside government and other agencies, both in the UK and internationally, to play a vital role in securing healthy marine and freshwater environments for everyone's wellbeing, health and prosperity. The agency applies its expertise and knowledge, gained through over 100 years of applied science and research, to fisheries management, environment and biodiversity protection, and aquaculture. For more detail about its range of activities visit http://www.cefas.co.uk/.

3. Defra's Minister Lord Rooker first announced the closure of Cefas' Burnham laboratory on 20 June 2006.

4. Forty Cefas staff have decided to leave Burnham and relocate to Lowestoft; and five of those have already moved. The remaining 53 staff will leave Cefas entirely during the course of 2008. The agency is assisting staff who have chosen not to move to secure employment, either elsewhere in the Civil Service or in the local area.

5. Defra's Minister, Jonathan Shaw, has kept the local MP, John Whittingdale, informed of Cefas' plans. Cefas' senior management have also written to the local councils, the police authorities, the Burnham Chamber of Trade and Commerce, and Cefas' close neighbours to ensure a smooth departure over the coming year.

6. Defra's Estates Department will be handling all questions relating to future uses of the Burnham site. Estates enquiries should be directed to John Richards at john.x.Richards@defra.gsi.gov.uk, Telephone: 01904 454582.

7. Photographs of the Burnham-on-Crouch laboratory are available with this release.

8. Cefas' Communications Manager will facilitate all media enquiries. The contact details follow.

Press contact:  Anne McClarnon
Telephone: 01502 524370 / Email: anne.mcclarnon@cefas.co.uk