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Insider UK
Insider UK
Technology
Peter A Walker

Pioneer secures planning permission for new lab space

Pioneer Group has secured planning permission on 72,800 sq ft of purpose-built lab space at the BioCity Glasgow campus.

The development is planned to be delivered in two phases: phase one will include a three-storey building that comprises 33,300 sq ft of lab space, while phase two will include a two-storey building that will provide 39,500 sq ft of facilities.

As a result, Pioneer's footprint in Scotland would grow to more than 308,000 sq ft.

The planned development aims to cater to all market segments - from start-ups to blue-chip companies - by incorporating flexible layouts and fully-fitted space.

Up to 250 skilled jobs could be created by the building’s new occupiers and construction would also support 55 new local jobs.

The BioCity Glasgow scheme, located between Glasgow and Edinburgh on the M8 motorway, is a well-established 22-acre life sciences campus that comprises 108,000 square feet of lab and office space across eight buildings. The site is home to companies like BioAscent, Sampled, Devro and Invzius.

A recent report from Pioneer Group and JLL revealed that Scottish life science start-ups raised a record £253m over the last five years.

Despite this, the report suggested that continued growth of Scotland’s world-leading life sciences sector is being held back by a lack of lab development, with start-ups and scale-ups often being locked out of the market.

In response, Pioneer Group is looking to deliver more than 200,000 square feet of purpose-built space in Scotland over the next two years.

John Mackenzie, Scotland director at Pioneer Group, said: “Providing suitable accommodation for scale-ups is crucial.

“Modern biotech companies have high standards for lab space and amenity, and crucially they demand proximity to life science cluster locations to support hiring the best and brightest talent.

“Our two new buildings will be plugged into an already pioneering innovation ecosystem within BioCity Glasgow.”

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