Pictured above: Artists Impression

Birmingham is using the global platform of the MIPIM property conference to announce plans for a £40 million ICT village to be built in the city. 

The ambitious project will see four brand new buildings constructed at Birmingham Science Park Aston, creating an Innovation Village based round a new iCentrum building. 

Birmingham City Council officials at MIPIM will be flagging up the opportunity to invest in Birmingham Science Park Aston's ambitious plans at the four-day conference in Cannes. 

 The four buildings will provide a total gross area of 10,895 sq m (117,272 sq ft) of space, with the iCentrum building the largest at 4,280 sq m (46,069 sq ft). 

There will be two further buildings of 1,629 sq m (17,534 sq ft) and a fourth building offering 3,357 sq m (36,134 sq ft) 

Dr David Hardman, Managing Director of Birmingham Science Park Aston, said the proposed Innovation Village was powerful evidence of the Science Park's determination to drive its reputation higher on the world stage.  

He said: "Birmingham Science Park Aston is all about providing a physical presence where a professional infrastructure links with technology, innovation, funding, and the key driver in any knowledge-based business, the people, to create a world leading resource of intellectual capital. 

"At a time when the knowledge economy is seen a key factor in moving the UK out of recession, Birmingham Science Park Aston initiatives are championing and catalysing the innovation economy of Birmingham and the region by supporting innovators and entrepreneurs to help them deliver their aspirations and drive their high-tech services and products towards the market place"

"We are owned by Birmingham City Council, but we also look to work in partnership with the Council to help shape and drive its innovation agenda within the Big City Plan. 

The draft proposals envisage four new buildings which are linked by a spectacular colonnade walkway on land fronting on to Holt Lane. 

Pictured above: Artists Impression

Speaking at the launch of the plans at MIPIM in France, Coun Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council and Chairman of Birmingham Science Park Aston, said the City recognised the vital importance of the knowledge economy in the region's future success. 

"Located at the very heart of our Global City our renowned Science Park has the capacity to act as a major contributor towards our ambitions to grow as a world-class centre for innovation," he said.

"As Chairman of the Science Park I am determined to see it grow and become an even more successful story, akin to other Council-owned assets like the NEC. I am delighted that now, with a clear new direction, the full support of the City Council, and David's expertise, we are signalling our ambition to be world-leaders." 

Dr Hardman said: "Birmingham Science Park Aston is more than a geographic location. We are developing a flexible, highly connected and collaborative culture; an environment where people with ideas meet people with experience and people with investment funds. 

"Connectivity is driven by face-to-face meetings within our facilities, at our events and increasingly, as we develop our activities to drive the low carbon agenda, through smart work environments, in virtual space. 

"The development of our new Innovation Village will be the cornerstone of our plans to build Birmingham Science Park Aston's global reputation through the next decade."