University to develop new life sciences park near QE
THE University of Birmingham is to lead development of a new life sciences park after agreeing a major land deal.
The university has acquired ten acres of the Battery Park site in Selly Oak, where a huge new medical campus will be built called Birmingham Life Sciences Park.
The park, near the QE Hospital, will include state-of-the-art research and commercial facilities that will “drive innovation and harness the academic, clinical and commercial sectors” in the city.
The aim is to support research and development to take innovative new healthcare technologies from the early stages to real life applications.
The proposal forms part of much wider plans for the former metal works site which include a new Sainsbury’s supermarket to replace its existing story in nearby Chapel Lane, other retail units and more than 400 student bedrooms in a complex reaching up to 18 storeys.
University of Birmingham vice-chancellor Sir David Eastwood said: “This is a landmark step for our dynamic regional collaboration in life sciences and enhances our essential infrastructure enabling great advances in the way we tackle global healthcare challenges.
“We are already tackling cancer, chronic and rare diseases, mental health, trauma and antibiotic resistance and making significant progress in this area, bringing real benefits to our communities locally and around the world.
“I look forward to working with our partners over the next few years to ensure we sustain momentum in this area.”
The life sciences park will be delivered by Birmingham Health Partners which is an alliance between the university, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Trust.
John Williams, managing director of Birmingham Health Partners, said: “This is an important development for Birmingham Health Partners, that will help us deliver at pace the benefits of cutting edge research to the communities we serve.”
Investment has been granted by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership while support from Battery Park’s owner Birmingham City Council has allowed work to begin.