The centre will tell the story of how a rural site in Cheshire became the home of radio astronomy.
The scheme – the First Light Project - will features a new earth dome-shaped building providing exhibition space, an auditorium, an outdoor café area, an office, education space and toilets.
The building, which will be 79 metres wide at the base and eight metres high, will incorporate paths on the roof so that visitors can walk to the top where they will find a sundial on a flat platform.
The First Light Project will complement Jodrell Bank's existing visitor facilities. The First Light Project will feature two principal function areas:
Planet Pavilion will include a restaurant and café plus exhibition facilities.
Space Pavilion will feature events space as well as exhibition space.
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre is part of Manchester University. It is located just off the A535 between Chelford and Holmes Chapel – six miles from Junction 18 of the M6.
