FOI2022/00177: OME and HBBE at Newcastle University
Case reference FOI2022/00177
Published 25 July 2022
Request
Request received: 18 May 2022
The OME and HBBE at Newcastle University
1. Can you tell me what proportion of the £8 million awarded to the Newcastle University HBBE was spent on construction of the OME building?
2. Can you tell me what evaluation of the OME building and research has been carried out to date?
3. Can you tell me whether UKRI has carried out any value for money appraisal of the OME project?
4. Can you state what view has been taken by UKRI about the fact that the building, meant to prototype bio technology and biological materials, has been constructed out of concrete and metal and other non-biological/bio-based materials. Does this comply with the conditions of the grant?
5. On the OME HBBE web site it says "The exterior of the building has been designed so experimental material samples can be easily installed for testing and whole sections of the internal and external walls can be replaced with new forms of construction". Can you state what evidence you have that whole sections of the walls can be replaced as they are made of solid concrete?
6. Can you state what experimental biological materials have been installed and tested?
7. Having arranged several weeks in advance to visit the OME building. I was refused access at very late notice on the basis that everyone was too busy to show me round. I was only able to view the building from the outside. Can you state if you have made any stipulations that the OME should be accessible to researchers like myself to visit?
Response
Response sent: 15 June 2022
Full details of this response are provided in the attached document.
Documents
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