Plans to create an innovative ‘digital quarter’ next to Edinburgh Airport have been unveiled, as the development aims to attract local and global business
The proposal is to develop the site of Edinburgh airport’s disused runway as an area to attract technology companies and encourage home-grown businesses. The digital quarter would include offices, commercial buildings, several hundred homes and leisure facilities.
Those responsible for the Crosswind project aim to attract global technology companies and claim it could lead to the creation of 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The project is being undertaken by Crosswind Developments, which was set up by Edinburgh Airport owners Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) as an independent company.
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling is chair of the project.
Ownership of the Crosswind brownfield site is due to be transferred soon from GIP to the developers.
Crosswind Developments is set to start a consultation phase with local stakeholders. It hopes to apply for outline planning permission either later this year or in early 2020.
Crosswind said it wanted to create a unique Scottish “digital community” which would “augment Edinburgh’s existing qualities as an attractive location for global companies”.
Crosswind Developments chief executive John Watson said: “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.
“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.”
