A spectacular broadwalk over a newly created wetland habitat was the scene for the VIP opening of No. 1 Nottingham Science Park – a development that sets new standards in design and a new approach to environmental sustainability.

Specialist regeneration developer Blueprint has already collected a string of nominations and awards for the project, which was completed in the summer, and hundreds of guests attended the "Picnic in the Park" in autumn sunshine to celebrate the official opening.

Declaring the 45,000 sq ft development open for business, Minister for the East Midlands Phil Hope MP said he was amazed by the building's design and delighted by its green credentials.

He enthused about the development’s attractive public spaces and its potential contribution to the region’s knowledge-based economy. He was very confident it would attract inward investment and create new jobs.

“I am very impressed by the spaces around the buildings. It is such a refreshing change from the usual sea of tarmac and cars. I am also delighted to learn that No. 1 will use little more than half the energy of conventional offices. Given the threat of climate change, we really do need to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.”

The event was attended by VIPs including Jeff Moore, chief executive of East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and chairman of Blueprint; Robert Napier (Chairman of English partnerships and future Chairman of the Housing and Communities Agency), senior representatives from igloo including Neil Gardiner and Chris Brown and senior figures from Nottingham City Council.

Nick Ebbs, Chief Executive at Blueprint, said: "Picnic in the Park is a party – a celebration infact of Blueprint’s achievements so far, and the occasion for the formal launch of our second building at Nottingham Science Park”.

“The design of No. 1 Nottingham Science Park is bold and adventurous, a good match to the spirit of its potential occupiers. It incorporates sustainability not as an ‘add-on’ but as an intrinsic quality of the building and creates a place that inspires and stimulates.”

Jeff Moore, emda Chief Executive and Blueprint Chairman, said: "Buildings such as No.1 Nottingham Science Park are vital to the health and vitality of the region's economy, and provide excellent accommodation for growing knowledge-based businesses. No1 is just one of a number of projects we can see across the city where emda is helping Nottingham to capitalise on its status as a Science City.”

“Elsewhere in the region Blueprint is working on a wide portfolio of other regeneration projects including the Digital media Centre in Leicester (completion due next year), a pioneering scheme at Leicester’s Waterside, an exemplary housing scheme in the Meadows, Nottingham, and an exciting mixed-use project in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter”.

No. 1 is the focal point of Blueprint's £50 million, 12-acre extension to Nottingham's existing Science Park, which has turned a contaminated site into one of the most exciting new developments of its kind in the country. Designed by award winning architects, London-based Studio Egret West, No. 1 is the biggest speculative development of its kind in Nottingham, targeted at growing hi-tech buisnesses wanting space from 2,000 sq ft upwards on flexible terms.

Green features include hi-tech elements like a biomass boiler, a water based cooling system, sustainable materials and simple but highly effective low-tech solutions including opening windows and optimisation of natural light!!!

Businesses from sectors including environmental research, IT and Internet, medical science, product design and research, and health are in discussions to take space within the building, or on adjacent design and build land.

Blueprint has worked with a range of partners on the Science Park - including emda, Nottingham City Council and Greater Nottingham Partnership and the project was past financed by the European Union Regional Development Fund.

Visit Nottingham Science Park's website at www.nottinghamsciencepark.co.uk