Internationally renowned for its established medical research and healthcare facilities, the West Midlands’ reputation for excellence in the life sciences field will soon be further enhanced by a new science park, which will develop the region’s capacity for innovation, creativity and enterprise.
The flagship University Science Park Pebble Mill will help to drive the progression of a globally competitive and sustainable knowledge economy, with the creation of 12 acres of world class research and development facilities at the former BBC site at Pebble Mill in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
The science park will be the ultimate location for the incubation of revolutionary biotech companies, boasting wet labs, sub molecular imaging, specialist surgery and training facilities and intellectual property expertise. Coupled with the financial, legal and marketing support services close by and all the conditions necessary to turn biomedical discovery into successful business are in place.
For companies committed to bringing new medical solutions to market, the science park will offer a conducive and catalytic environment for businesses to grow due to its proximity to two of the UK’s leading institutions - the University of Birmingham, which is internationally respected for its medical, engineering, biosciences and cancer studies and Aston University, renowned for its health and technology research.
Pivotal to the growth strategy of the region, The University Science Park Pebble Mill will have significant impact on the regeneration of Birmingham and will develop a new sustainable skills base, creating an estimated 1500 new jobs.
The scheme will become a true centre of excellence, cultivating and stimulating advances in the Biomedical industry, elevating Birmingham’s status and underlining international recognition and appeal. The development forms a link in the Central Technology Belt and will help to form closer links between the universities and knowledge-based businesses.
Demolition of the site is complete and work on the infrastructure has commenced in preparation for the £90 million development, which will be constructed in phases with a final completion date of 2012. Planning permission has been granted and the masterplan is currently being worked up.
The potential of this scheme is being realised through partnership, with landowners Calthorpe Estates working with Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council, the University of Birmingham and the Central Technology Belt to make the science park a reality.
Advantage West Midlands has a 94-year lease of the site from Calthorpe Estates and both are receiving interest from potential occupiers, enabling them to design and construct the first phase of new buildings on the park.
By working in partnership a significant impact can be made to ensure that the region benefits from the opportunities and economic growth that the scheme will help to generate. The vision for University Science Park Pebble Mill will see a complete international centre for the life sciences industry created, which will ultimately underline the West Midlands as a world class region in which to invest, work and live.