A dedicated Digital Quarter is being planned as the focal point of the 150-acre Crosswind site development near Edinburgh Airport.
Crosswind, which was set up by infrastructure investment giant Global Infrastructure Partners, which owns Edinburgh Airport, operates as an independent company and is now moving into the consultation and planning phase of the project.
Crosswind is a 150 acre site around the defunct Runway 12/30 at Edinburgh Airport.
“The Digital Quarter would provide the kind of transport connections, offices, housing and leisure facilities that global technology companies expect when choosing where to locate, allowing Edinburgh to better compete with key existing European destinations,” said Crosswinds.
Crosswind Development CEO John Watson said: “Scotland, and Edinburgh in particular, should be an ideal location for global technology jobs but without a dedicated approach to creating the kind of environment technology companies are looking for, it’s much harder to bring that investment here.
“These companies want modern, state of the art offices, world class connectivity, an environment that is attractive to its workforce with easy access to global connections.
“A pool of high quality graduates is another important factor.
“Crosswind is, perhaps, one of the best connected, undeveloped sites in Scotland with immediate access to air, rail and road transport.
“It will have a focus on the kind of housing, working space and leisure facilities that people demand.
“Working with others, we believe we can make this part of Edinburgh one of the most attractive locations in the world for these companies while also nurturing home grown start-ups.”
Crosswind has been working with a number of partners on the plans including Lichfields Planning Consultants, engineering and development consultants Mott MacDonald, Corstorphine + Wright architects, commercial estate agents Cushman & Wakefield, legal advisers Shepherd & Wedderburn and design agency Project.
Former UK finance minister Alistair Darling chairs the Crosswind board which includes Lesley Sawers, the Equality and Human Rights Commissioner for Scotland, Andrew Sutherland, the joint managing director of Miller Developments, investment specialist Andrew Gillespie-Smith and John Watson.