DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT and Operations , Steve Scott , has been instrumental in driving forward these plans from the very beginning .
“ Back then , staff and students were scattered across outdated campus buildings in Corstorphine and Leith that were no longer fit for purpose ,” said Steve . “ We scouted many potential locations for a new campus to bring us all together before choosing our current location , a decision which reflected the existing amenities offered by the site and the opportunities it provided for future development . This was important , because we had ambitions from the outset to create a vibrant mixed community with the University at the heart of it .
“ Over the past two decades , I ’ ve had the privilege of working with many talented colleagues and consultants to bring our Victorian founders ’ vision of a creative , fairer and healthier society into our ambitions for our new campus , and use of the land around it . Our first major milestone was completing the first phase and relocating here as a university in 2007 . Another highlight was recently receiving the green light and £ 28.6m from UK Government , £ 1.4m from Scottish Government and a further £ 10m from East Lothian Council to develop a flagship Innovation Hub on the land next door .
“ The hub will be the anchor for Edinburgh Innovation Park which will be developed over time to create a nationally significant centre of knowledge exchange , innovation and high value business growth . We are also progressing plans in tandem for a new Commercial Zone providing vital amenities for the expanding community .
“ East Lothian Council will begin work soon on completing the A1 junction to the site ; we are appointing lead consultants to progress the hub and the wider design team will be in place by spring 2022 . Our relationship with East Lothian Council will now be cemented in a formal joint venture partnership . We will start building the new hub in spring 2023 and it will take two years to complete .
“ To play a part in delivering such a legacy for the University and bringing our plans to life has been challenging at times , but certainly never dull , and I ’ m looking forward to bringing forward this next phase .” ❒
QMYOU / Innovation Park 9