A PROPOSAL for an £80 million Innovation Park on land next to Queen Margaret University has taken a step forward.

The university has announced that it has retained the services of leading knowledge economy consultancy CAM-SCI to lead the development of the detailed business plan for the facility adjacent to the campus.

The decision was made after a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) consultation in September 2015 saw support for the concept gather pace.

As East Lothian Council moves towards finalising the East Lothian Development Plan, QMU is progressing its vision for local and regional social and economic development around its campus, aiming to protect the land for the development of specialist facilities to support businesses in high-growth innovation sectors.

Cambridge-based CAM-SCI, which has a strong track record in guiding some of the UK’s most successful innovation and science parks from concept development through to funding and delivery, last year worked with QMU to advance the university’s vision for this employment-focused hub. The university’s development strategy also provides for a commercial hub to deliver retail and leisure facilities for students, staff and the surrounding local communities.

QMU Principal Professor Petra Wend said: “Our proposed development is market distinctive and complementary to Edinburgh Bioquarter and other developments in the region. After receiving a favourable response to our initial community consultations last autumn, we are now ramping up our efforts to make our vision of a thriving commercial community, providing sustainable employment opportunities and facilities for businesses to grow, become a reality.

“CAM-SCI has a proven record of delivering value for universities, businesses and communities across the UK. Retaining their services to progress the next stage of our plans to secure the land, planning and financial investment required to deliver the Innovation Hub underlines the university’s commitment to drive innovation and create prosperity for East Lothian and the wider Scottish economy. We believe there is demand and real potential for the university to be at the heart of a transformational project that will bring new opportunity and vitality to the region.”

The university has identified food and drink, entrepreneurship in the creative industries, and enabling technologies for rehabilitation as key areas of innovation and growth.

Phase one of the innovation park is for the development of two 50,000 sq m enterprise centres, combining ‘innovation activity’ with the support of the university’s academic resources together with local amenities, including retail, coffee shops, health and fitness facilities as well as hotel and residential accommodation.