The council have confirmed that the BioQuarter project in Edinburgh is set to be expanded.
The approved redevelopment is set to regenerate the area that was built as Little France in 1997. The quarter can be found in the South East of the city, with the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Royal College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine located there.
Billed as Edinburgh's Health Innovation District, the plans are set to see more space for research and healthcare innovation, as well as a hotel and leisure facilities. The long-term vision for the site now also includes proposals for residential housing.
The BioQuarter is currently playing a pivotal role in leading medical research and is a flagship development within the Life Sciences sector.
The Council is working in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Enterprise and NHS Lothian to deliver the project, which aims to build on the BioQuarter’s existing expertise and facilities and by attracting, creating, and growing companies.
Councillors have also agreed to contribute up to £500,000 towards taking the project to the next stage, including further development of the business case and related procurement process.
Council Leader Adam McVey, said:
"We're delighted to be part of the BioQuarter project, a hugely exciting and cutting-edge development that will make a massive contribution to the ongoing regeneration of the South East of the city; creating a whole new community of 20,000 people, with access to a vibrant new public square to meet in and use for a whole range of services and events."
Depute Council Leader Cammy Day, said:
"Life sciences have long been extremely valuable as a sector here in Edinburgh, and the BioQuarter is playing a hugely valuable role in its ongoing success. It's estimated the development will create around 9000 new jobs, many of which will be taken up by local people, with many more construction roles being created while it is being built."
