People are being asked to give their views on the latest vision for a pioneering “MediPark” close to the Queen’s Medical Centre and the University of Nottingham.

Community consultation for the MediPark begins this week (27.3.09) – as people are asked what they think to a 3.7 hectare Science Park close to the Queen’s Medical Centre and the University of Nottingham Medical School.

The scheme is expected to build on the city’s strengths as a Science City and is the result of the collaboration between public and private sector bodies, working together to deliver plans for new specialist facilities geared to support the medical and clinical research sectors.

Proposals for the new MediPark are being led by a number of partners including Nottingham City Council; Nottingham Regeneration Limited (NRL); Blueprint; Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottingham Development Enterprise and the current work is being funded by the Greater Nottingham Partnership.

Extensive feasibility work identified the development potential of the site to the south of Leengate, which is bounded by the River Leen and the QMC to the west and Abbey Street to the east. This has led to the creation of the vision for the Nottingham MediPark, which will shortly be submitted as an outline planning application to Nottingham City Council.

Peter Conboy, development director of Blueprint said: “Considerable research by the partners reveals that there is a demand for a high quality specialist business space and the proposed MediPark is an ideal location for development of clinical research and medical device companies.

Three phases of development are proposed, each phase meeting the highest standards for design and sustainability with nine buildings each providing 3,000 to 5,000 sq m of floor space. The phases will be delivered over a number of years. The buildings will be within an open space and park network with access to the River Leen and served by proposed NET line 2.

Louise Seymour of Nottingham Regeneration said: “This location provides a unique opportunity to offer a highly competitive focus for inward investment healthcare projects. We are eager to hear local residents’ views on the emerging proposals to inform our next steps which will include the submission of an outline planning application.”

Partners are inviting residents and businesses to comment on the emerging scheme through a series of consultation events to be held in March and April.

Details of consultation meetings:

Friday 27 March
Public Consultation – 4pm to 6pm
St. Mary's Church, Wollaton Hall Drive

Monday 30 March
Public Consultation – 4pm to 7.30pm
Public Meeting – 7.30pm to 8.30pm
St. Mary's Church, Wollaton Hall Drive

Tuesday 31 March
Public Consultation – 3pm to 7pm
Dunkirk & Old Lenton Community Association

Wednesday 1 April
Public Consultation – 4pm to 7.30pm
Public Meeting - 7.30pm to 8.30pm
Dunkirk & Old Lenton Community Association