EDINBURGH BioQuarter has released the first images of a 750m planned transformation which will create a new vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood, supporting a community of more than 20,000 people.

Withambitions to accelerate the development of BioQuarter and create EdinburghsHealth Innovation District, the long-term vision for the site now includesplans for residential housing. There will be more space for research andhealthcare innovation, commercial use, hotel, gym, retail and leisure. Theexpansion will support an estimated 9,000 new jobs, plus additional constructionjobs and to grow the pipeline of successful companies.

Over the last two decades, BioQuarter has played a pivotal role in cultivating world-leading medical research and life sciences innovation that is improving peoples lives around the world.

The 160-acre site, which lies three miles South of Edinburgh City Centre, is currently home to 8,000 people who work and study within its boundary and includes 13 award winning life sciences businesses based at BioQuarters Innovation Centre, the globally renowned Edinburgh Medical School, 900-bed Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and one of Europes largest clusters of stem cell research at the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine.

BioQuarterspartners City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, Scottish Enterprise and theUniversity of Edinburgh have already invested over 500m in the existingsite, with a further 300m investment planned in the next five years throughpipeline projects, including the new 68m University of Edinburgh UsherInstitute.

BioQuarteris developing a masterplan and place-making strategy and intends to seek ajoint venture partner through a formal OJEU process to accelerate developments.

Commenting on the vision for thenew BioQuarter, Hugh Edmiston, Chair of Edinburgh BioQuarter Strategy Board,said: This is the start of an exciting journey in the next chapter ofEdinburgh BioQuarters development. As we move ahead, we want to ensure that weinvolve our staff, students and the local communities in this long-term vision.

The opportunities here are vastand, once realised, can deliver significant and long lasting economic andsocial benefits for Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.

Once completed the new visioncould deliver one of the largest single developments in the UK focussed on lifesciences innovation, health care delivery, medical research and teaching.

Interim Programme Director AnnaStamp said: We want to build on the success to date of theBioQuarter.Our plans are to create a vibrant new neighbourhood ofEdinburgh centred around a world-leading community of healthcare innovators. Bydeveloping at scale and at pace together with a private sector partner we willaccelerate solutions to global health challenges.

It is vital that BioQuarterdevelops as a welcome and accessible place for those who live around it, aswell as those who work or study here. We can do this by fostering a inclusiveenvironment which promotes wellbeing to create a welcoming place where peoplelive, learn, work, play, relax and discover as part of Edinburghs HealthInnovation District.

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Edinburgh BioQuarter reveals vision for expansion - Scottish Business News