A major new medical and technology campus could be developed as part of the £3.2 billion Arden Cross scheme in Solihull. A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the team behind the project, University Hospitals Birmingham and University of Warwick.
This will explore opportunities for creating the new campus to deliver innovation in healthcare.
Arden Cross is a planned mixed-use scheme which is aiming to maximise the benefits of high-speed rail line HS2 coming through Solihull. It will comprise six million sq ft of commercial space and 3,000 new homes which project leaders estimate could create up to 27,000 new jobs.
The development will span 346 acres of land 1.2 miles east of Birmingham Airport next to the M42 and include the new Interchange station being built as part of phase one of HS2 between London and Birmingham.
Arden Cross said the medical and technology campus would provide 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 facility.
Among its aims will be creating better health and life outcomes for people by reducing the time to market for healthcare innovations and drawing in private sector investment. The first phase of the medical campus could begin as early as 2024 and will see a range of facilities and employment opportunities.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "With more than £800 million of investment already committed to Arden Cross, 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 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 has the power to drive the UK's digital health agenda, bolster the West Midlands economy and revolutionise healthcare for the better."
University Hospitals Birmingham chief executive Dave Rosser said: "The unique opportunities presented by Arden Cross could support us to achieve our vision to deliver healthcare in a new and transformational way. This vision focuses on being able to offer the best access, treatment and experience for all of our patients as well as the opportunity to help address the stark inequalities we see across our area that have been further compounded by the pandemic."
University of Warwick vice-chancellor Stuart Croft added: "Arden Cross represents an opportunity for the West Midlands and the UK to take the global lead in delivering the next frontier of healthcare. The university will bring world-beating research and innovation and our experience of leveraging private-sector funding and engagement to deliver our vision.
"Our goal is to create a thriving and energetic hub where public, private and academic excellence can meet the challenges ahead of us."
Arden Cross Ltd is a special-purpose vehicle set up to build the project, comprising landowners Birmingham City Council, Packington Estate and Coleshill Estate, with support from partners including HS2, Department for Transport, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the Urban Growth Company.
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