National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats
| National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 52°04′20″N 0°29′50″W / 52.072179°N 0.497186°W[1] | |
| Location | Stewartby, Bedfordshire |
| Land area | 100 hectares (250 acres) |
The National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats (commonly abbreviated as NIRAH) was a planned freshwater public aquarium in Stewartby, Bedfordshire. Originally sited at a 100 hectare (250 acre) location, with an expected cost of £350 million, the project failed to meet its planned completion date in 2012.[2][3][4] The site of the aquarium was sold in 2015, with an expected loss of £4 million.[5][6]
History
The project was granted planning permission in 2007, with estimated costs ranging from £350 million to £600 million.[2][3][4] The proposed site was a 100 hectare (250 acre) site of a former brickworks in Stewartby, Bedfordshire, with completion expected during 2012. This was not met, with the project hampered by a number of delays and "a lack of investment" [4] until planning permission expired in 2014. The site was sold in June 2015 for an "undisclosed amount".[5]
Public investment
The project had been supported by public money, including more than £1.2 million from the former Bedfordshire County Council and £2 million from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.[4] The BBC noted in March 2014 that "[n]either the government, nor the councils, are currently seeking to recover the debt, much of which is secured against the value of the land."[4] Administrators involved in the sale of the land confirmed in June 2015 that there would be "minimal recovery" of the then-£5 million debt.[6]
References
- ^ "Bedfordshire Local Geological Site Designation Form: Quest Pit, Stewartby" (PDF). Bedfordshire Geology Group. November 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
- ^ a b "NIRAH". Grant Associates. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Call for answers from Bedford Borough Council committee about £3m NIRAH aquatic park loss". Bedfordshire on Sunday. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Nirah aquarium 'evidence' sought by government". BBC News. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Site of NIRAH aquarium plan at Quest Pit Stewartby sold". Bedford Today. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
- ^ a b Fisher, Tony (25 June 2015). "Nirah aquarium: Recovery of £5m in taxpayers' money to be 'minimal'". BBC News. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
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