HULLAVINGTON is set to take on the boffins of Silicon Valley after designer Sir James Dyson announced plans to build a multi-million pound research and development centre at the former airfield.

Preparations for the first phase of the Hullavington Campus, which will be situated five miles from Dyson’s headquarters in Malmesbury, will begin on the 517-acre site next week.

Sir James said: “After 25 years of UK growth, and continuing expansion globally, we are fast outweighing our Malmesbury campus. The 517-acre Hullavington Campus is an investment for our future, creating a global hub for our research and development.

“It will enable us to continue creating world-class products and jobs right here in the Cotswolds.”

The news has been welcomed by the area’s MPs. North Wiltshire member James Gray believes that the new centre will attract leading designers and engineers from across the country, with Dyson expecting to double its workforce to 7,000 in the next five or six years.

“It will attract high-quality designers and engineers and some people will look to move to the area,” said Mr Gray.

“Frankly the main thing about it is it brings attention to North Wiltshire.

“I think we all hope that the Dyson research facility will add to that reputation.”

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan added: “I am delighted by this news which will mean more jobs for my constituents. Wiltshire is a hub of manufacturing, engineering and research, Dyson’s exciting expansion plans will help put Wiltshire on the map – now more than ever. The important thing now is to ensure our local skills match the fantastic jobs available and I will continue to work with local companies and education providers to help facilitate this.”

The inventor has said the Malmesbury headquarters will house the new Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology. Two weeks ago he opened a new technology centre in Singapore.

A Dyson spokesman said: “It is a lovely area and it is so close to our Malmesbury headquarters. We want to develop the site rather than knock down the hangars and in a way it is a nice marriage between the history of Hullavington and the technology. James is very vocal about the shortage of engineers in the UK and this is our way of encouraging people to look into the prospect of an engineering career. With the Dyson Institute and the work of the James Dyson foundation we hope to encourage and inspire youngsters.”