University lodges plans for insect engineering lab

Research into how insects can be used to produce new food, animal feed and manage waste could be done in shipping containers at the University of York.

A planning application proposes putting two containers in car park G at the university's Heslington West Campus to house spaces for research focusing on "insect engineering".

The units would house a climate-controlled breeding and nursery space for the insects, where the temperature, CO2 and humidity could be maintained at required levels.

The application states the containers would provide a controlled environment not currently available at the site while using containers would enable them to be moved if necessary.

The plans state the research with black soldier flies would look at novel food and feed production, waste management and other species, such as mosquitoes and plant and animal pests.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the containers would be installed near the university's biology blocks H and Q.

Further works would take place to provide power, data, water and drainage connections to existing campus infrastructure.

"The proposal will provide a controlled environment to support the study of insect engineering," the application states.

"The availabilty of this specialist infrastructure will strengthen the University of York's ability to compete for national and international research funding and enhance York's reputation as a centre for scientific innovation."

No date has been set for the City of York Council to consider the proposals.

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