Committee publication · Correspondence · 11 February 2025
Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity regarding redevelopment of the Animal and Plant Health Agency Facility at Weybridge, dated January 2025
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Animal and plant health
Summary
Baroness Hayman updates the EFRA Committee Chair on the redevelopment of the Animal and Plant Health Agency's Weybridge facility under the Science Capability in Animal Health (SCAH) Programme. The government has allocated £208 million across 2024-25 and 2025-26 to transform the site as part of UK biosecurity capability, with planning approval granted by Runnymede Borough Council in October 2024.
Key findings
- Chancellor announced £208 million in 2024-25 and 2025-26 for APHA Weybridge facility transformation
- Master Outline Planning Application approved by Runnymede Borough Council Planning Committee on 23 October 2024
- Funding will enable procurement of contractors for main redevelopment and completion of facility design
- Redevelopment framed as safeguarding UK biosecurity capability and managing risks from animal disease outbreaks
- EFRA Committee Chair visited the site in December 2024
Tone
ProceduralTopics
biosecurityanimal-healthpublic-financeinfrastructure
Key actors
Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Alistair Carmichael, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Runnymede Borough Council, HM Treasury
Notable line
“This funding will allow us to begin procurement for the contractors for the main redevelopment, and to progress with completing the design of the new facilities.”
Key Quotes
“This will allow us to make progress with the redevelopment and enhance our ability to respond to the threat disease outbreaks pose to health, farming, food security, trade, and the economy.”
“… the Master Outline Planning Application for the redevelopment was approved by Runneymede Borough Council Planning Committee on 23 October”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗