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Approved: An artist's impression of the new NPL development, where expansion and conversion will take place on the existing laboratory site

A Government laboratory with a century of history in the borough has been given permission to use different parts of its site, after plans were approved earlier this month.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), in Teddington, has been given approval to develop its site by Richmond Council planners and will now re-use further buildings and facilities closer to Bushy House, a historic house on the south side of site, while existing buildings will be adapted to house new research facilities.

The Hampton Road laboratory, which has 400 individual labs, opened in Teddington in 1900 and has witnessed some of the country's greatest scientific achievements.

On the site the potential of radar was first identified, techniques for weighing Concorde were developed and the first atomic clock was built.

It is said the council's approval will allow more flexibility to expand the scientific and support workforce in the main building over the coming years and address the science of the future, such as quantum and nano-technologies.

It is also said the area is scientifically quiet, with low vibration characteristics, making it ideal for leading-edge measurement science, or metrology, for which NPL is world-renowned.

Steve McQuillan, managing director at NPL, said: "Here at the National Physical Laboratory, we are aware of the duty that we have to our heritage in science and technology.

"Thanks to this approval, we will be able to move forward with plans to ensure the laboratory's continued excellence in applying the most accurate measurement standards, helping businesses to innovate and providing a place for ground-breaking science to flourish.

"We hope that the new plans will underpin our success for another hundred years."

11:54am Thursday 27th March 2008

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