WORK on a long-awaited research park at Essex University is to finally begin in months, creating thousands of jobs.

The much-anticipated centre suffered a major setback in 2008, when an unnamed developer pulled out of a deal to buy land near the Colchester campus for housing.

But after a number of false dawns, work on the 40-acre site, which will now be called the University of Essex Knowledge Gateway, is due to start in April.

In time, Colchester will gain a new Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution, thousands of metres of office space aimed at companies involved in human rights, about 750 units of student housing and more than 300 homes.

Andrew Nightingale, director of estates management at Essex University, said the project was now becoming a reality after years of planning.

He said: “At long, long last, here we go with the Knowledge Gateway.

“It’s something we’ve been looking to do for years, and I think people are probably a bit doubtful because we have made these commitments on a number of occasions. But this time, we have the money in place and we are committed to doing it.

“It’s a very exciting time for the university and I hope for Colchester as well, in terms of the opportunities this will present.”

Project officer, Andrew Hayward, has been appointed to lead the team charged with designing the infrastructure.

Students, staff and visitors to the Colchester campus will see roads being built and electricity and gas supplies put in as part of the development.

Mr Nightingale said: “All being well, contractors should be appointed by the middle of March and we will be on site in late April, or early May, for a 13-month period.

“Once people see that happening, that builds the faith that the project will proceed.”

In the meantime, talks will begin with firms interested in occupying some of the buildings, while a tender is already out for architects to come up with a design for the £5million centrepiece, the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution – a human rights research centre.

Mr Nightingale said: “The form of the buildings will be determined and that will be done in conjunction with potential occupants.

“Each building will have to go through the whole planning process. I would say over the next 12 months or so, we are expecting to look at some projects that will go on that site. We think that will bring more interest for the park, and the diversity of the design will be very good.”

The name of the research park was changed to the Knowledge Gateway, in an attempt to build on Essex University’s reputation as a worldwide centre for human rights.

The Human Rights Centre at the university currently teaches about 100 undergraduates, as well as postgraduates, and soon PhD students.

Many past pupils have gone on to work for organisations such as the United Nations.

After the failed Christmas Day terror attack on a plane travelling from Amsterdam to Detroit, experts from the university have been joining debates, including on whether full body scans are acceptable at airports.

Next month, the university will be awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, for its work in promoting and protecting human rights, at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

Todd Landman, a professor in the Department for Government and a member of the group planning the institute, said the gateway would enhance Essex’s reputation.

He said: “We attract a lot of expertise to the area because of our human rights focus. It’s the biggest human rights centre pretty much in the world.”

The university has agreed to pay £8million for much of the initial infrastructure of the research park, in order to get it started.

Further funding will come from firms with an interest in human rights, such as non-governmental organisations and solicitors, which will rent office and research space at the park.

Wealthy individuals, philanthropic trusts and regional agencies are all being contacted to see if they want to be part of it.

The Haven Gateway Partnership has already put forward £50,000 to hire consultants to look at the feasibility and scope of the Knowledge Gateway.

If all goes to plan, the park should continue the regeneration of the east of Colchester.

Mr Landman said: “If we’re successful in creating all this, we’re going to have a net increase in jobs to the region, with openings for not only researchers and writers, but also skilled and semi-skilled work in terms of those who build the site.

“Then, of course, you would also have related jobs, such as in the catering and cleaning industries.”