FIVE new practical workshops are to open at the Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) innovative Farm491 agritech scheme.

In April, the workshops at the project’s Harnhill site will launch with an official opening featuring Countryfile presenter and rare breeds farmer Adam Henson on June 30.

Farm491 is the ground-breaking incubation hub, the core of which is based at the RAU campus in Cirencester, which facilitates the growth of agribusinesses.

In its entirety, the hub will comprise of different dynamic spaces where entrepreneurs can trial ideas, establish an office base and utilise a network of academics, farmers, data, business advisors and industry influencers.

The design, structure and layout of the new workspaces has been instructed by SRA Architects – and Snape Contractors have been employed to carry out the building work.

Members who sign up to use the collaborative workshop space at Harnhill will also have use of office space, meeting rooms and access to the adjacent Cotswold farmland owned by the RAU.

David Beckett, project partner, SRA Architects, said: “For the Harnhill workspaces we have worked in line with the RAU and Farm491’s commitment to sustainability and pledge to reduce CO2 emissions campus wide. The building has been designed with a low energy approach.

“Natural daylight is maximized by large areas of glazing on both north and south facades, and lower level windows are operable on ground and first floor to provide natural ventilation.

“At ground floor, air is drawn through deep open spaces to the south side via exhaust vents, which discharge air through the north façade.

“The building requires no additional cooling other than assisted natural ventilation.”

Angela Simkins, Farm491 centre director, said: “The agritech industry is currently valued at £400 billion globally and 450,000 people are employed by agriculture and agritech in the UK alone.

"Our members at Farm491 represent a spectrum of innovations, where they are applying technology in unique and interesting ways to significantly shape and sustain the future of British agriculture.

"The new practical workspaces at our Harnhill site are a step to supporting, embracing, and encouraging further technology advancement.”

The Farm491 project is part financed by the Gloucestershire Growth Deal 2015 to 2021, which will see £77.5 million invested into the county.

Visit farm491.com for more information.