A leading science company has begun a consultation on its plan to upgrade its research facility in the area, in a move which has been opposed by campaigners.

Syngenta, a leading agricultural science business, is conducting a survey into its plan for a new building called BioSTaR at its existing facility in Jealott’s Hill.

The Biological Science Technology and Research building (BioSTaR) project involves building a 9,500sqm research and development laboratory on the site of a former greenhouse.

The lab would be used by scientists who currently work at Jealott’s Hill to conduct research into sustainable food production and reducing the impact of farming on the environment.

Syngenta has said the building represents a circa £60 million investment in the facility, which is located in Warfield Parish.

But the chairman of the Save Jealott’s Hill campaign and fellow activists have said the survey is too rigid, highlighted privacy concerns, and hit out at Syngenta’s reference to plans being reliant on the wider development.

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Syngenta has stated that completion of the BioSTaR project is reliant on Jealotts Hill being allocated for development in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan.

Broader plans for Jealotts Hill involve Syngenta’s facility being transformed into a Science and Innovation Park and the construction of a 2,000 home ‘garden village’ – which  the BioSTaR project would form a part of.

The website revealing the vision for the BioSTaR building states: “The BioSTaR development is dependent on the adoption of a Local Plan which enables the wider Science & Innovation Park at Jealott’s Hill.

“Designed to provide a collaborative working ecosystem suitable for open science innovation, this highly sustainable, state-of-the-art building will sustain Syngenta’s employment of a world-class science team at Jealott’s Hill, as well as boosting the local economy.”

Syngenta is encouraging members of the public to take part.

Syngenta Jealott’s Hill head of research & development infrastructure Jim Reay said: “BioSTaR would be a significant investment by Syngenta into Bracknell.

“This exciting project would be focused on collaborative research and development into solutions to feed the world more sustainably.

“We have created a consultation portal with lots of information about BioSTaR, as well as providing the opportunity to give feedback and ask questions and we hope the local community will take the opportunity to visit this at www.givemyview.com/biostar.”

READ MORE: A look at who's behind the massive plans for 2000 homes and science park at Jealott's Hill

But Save Jealott’s Hill campaign chairman Patrick Kennedy has called it a ‘forced survey’ with predetermined answers.

Although there is a ‘send feedback’ section on the website, it requires an email and postcode for submission.

The campaign has raised concerns that this information could be shared with Bracknell Forest Council, as the privacy statement for consultation states that the email and postcode could be shared with clients, including property developers, local councils and other organisations seeking to gain insight into public opinion.

Mr Kennedy and campaign members fear they could be penalised by the council’s planning department for their own planning applications if they go public with their opposition to the 2000 home development of Jealott’s Hill, which has been selected for development within the Bracknell Forest Local Plan.

Mr Kennedy said: “I suppose one could be positive and say that Syngenta is to be commended for improving working conditions for the scientists working there already. One could say ‘about time too’ but the contingent on the big plan going ahead feels a bit like moral blackmail.”

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In response to the campaign's criticism of the consultation, a spokesperson on behalf of Syngenta stated that it has been set up using 'The Give My View' consultation portal as it provides an inclusive platform for dialogue and engagement which allows people to visualise and get an understanding of the proposals via a safe, established platform which has been used by Councils for their Local Plan consultations, as well as for open pre planning application dialogue.

They added that the consultation is open and transparent, with respondents free to engage in the survey or to leave their comments.

Following the consultation, a planning application will be submitted to Bracknell Forest Council - with the BioSTaR building intended to be the first phase of Syngenta's Science and Innovation Park proposed as part of the draft Local Plan.

The Local Plan was submitted to the Government’s planning inspectorate for review last December.