Area Details
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Location - 52°45'58.0"N 1°13'21.9"W
Otherwise Referred to. – Ann Packer building or closed off car park outside Design School
Description of the Works
A short series of outdoor flight tests of a small tethered solar balloon (a "heliotrope") will take place in the car park, adjacent to the Design School. The tests are being carried out by a Design School Masters student as part of an assessed MSc research project investigating low-cost aerial platforms for disaster response and have been reviewed and approved by Estates Management and Health & Safety.
The balloon is filled with ambient air only (no flammable or pressurised gas), heated by sunlight to generate lift. It will always remain tethered at low altitude (3–10 m) and will be supervised continuously by the researcher.
Impact on colleagues and students: A small section of car park measuring approximately 5m^2 will be cordoned off for the duration of each test. The area is not currently in use for parking, and no other parking spaces, footpaths, or building entrances are affected. Access along Towers Way, including emergency vehicle access, is unaffected. Grounds, maintenance, and accommodation services requiring access to the cordoned area during the test window should contact Alexander Crasneanscki, +44 7508305262 to coordinate.
Tests are weather-dependent and will only proceed in calm conditions; postponed tests will be re-notified through FM Helpdesk.
Timescale
Testing will be conducted through July 2026 starting the 15th, where conditions are optimal (sunlight + low wind speed (under 10 km/h)) during those optimal condition's updates will be sent to FM Helpdesk & Security informing launch times, with each test lasting approximately 4-5 hours.
How can I get more information and help?
The Estates and Facilities Management team member looking after the task is detailed below and can be contacted about any difficulties experienced because of these works.
Name and Job Title: Craig Brown - Technical Manager, School Safety Officer / Alexander Crasneanscki - Masters Student IID
Mobile: 01509223046 / 07508305262
Email: C.D.Brown@lboro.ac.uk / A.Crasneanscki1-25@student.lboro.ac.uk