Arden Cross reveals plans for major medtech campus in Solihull
Arden Cross has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with both University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) and the University of Warwick to create a new Medtech campus at its £3.2bn development in Solihull.
Arden Cross says the move presents a “unique opportunity” for the West Midlands to “lead the way in digital healthcare while bringing together the public, private, and academic sectors to form a globally leading campus”.
The new campus will be focused on creating better health and life outcomes for people by reducing the time to market for healthcare innovations, drawing private sector investment.
Each MOU provides a framework for the stakeholders in Arden Cross to move forward with the delivery of the first phase of the mixed-use masterplan that will ultimately create up to 27,000 new jobs, 3,000 new homes and up to 6 million sq ft of new commercial and employment space.
The first phase of the new campus could begin as early as 2024 and will see a range of facilities and employment opportunities through the health, knowledge and commerce sectors with both UHB and the University of Warwick leading the way in medical innovation.
UHB is the largest NHS Trust in England and runs four major general hospitals in the West Midlands as well as a number of regional specialist centres.
The development opportunities across the site are being brought forward by Arden Cross Limited (ACL), a special purpose delivery vehicle created by landowners Birmingham City Council, Packington Estate and Coleshill Estate.
Wider partners in the development also include HS2, Department for Transport, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the Urban Growth Company who are working together to fulfil a range of shared priorities.
At the centre of Arden Cross is the new HS2 Interchange station.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “With more than £800 million of investment already committed to the Arden Cross site, there is a great deal of local, national and international interest in how we might best unlock the huge potential of this scheme given its unrivalled global connectivity thanks to its superb location in close proximity to the existing airport and train station as well as the forthcoming HS2 Interchange.
“We are making good progress on shaping the Arden Cross vision and one of the elements that will make it a world class project is the health and innovation uses we have in mind for the site. Building upon our existing strengths, a MedTech Centre of Excellence in this key location has the power to drive the UK’s digital health agenda, bolster the West Midlands economy and revolutionise healthcare for the better. As we work together to bring Arden Cross to life, this landmark project is a prime example of Levelling Up in action – bringing tangible benefits to local residents.”
Ben Gray, project director with Arden Cross, said: “Arden Cross is focused on delivering sustainable growth for the region and the whole of the UK”
“A Medical and Technology Campus centred around our two world class partners could deliver a purpose-built ecosystem focused on health, knowledge and commerce that creates a dynamic cluster of organisations in a unique public-private partnership that leverages the superb connectivity of Arden Cross and has a real impact on people across the region and further afield.”
