The University of Warwick is exploring plans for the future of its Wellesbourne Campus.
The 472-acre (191 hectares) site between Wellesbourne and Charlecote was established as the National Vegetable Research Centre from 1949, before becoming the Horticulture Research International (HRI) in 1990.
It was bought by the University in 2004 and houses crop and other researchers and several private companies. It is home to the Warwick Crop Centre, which is internationally recognised for its research in sustainable agriculture, horticulture and food security.
Bob Wilson, Business Development Director (Real Estate) at the University, said that the University would be exploring the site’s potential as an innovation hub at MIPIM, the world’s leading property show, in March.
“The Wellesbourne Campus is a key site for us for a number of reasons, including the work that it is renowned for but also for the opportunity to build on that work to develop a suite of knowledge-intensive activities that can draw on support from, and partnerships with, all of the University’s research activities from life sciences to engineering, or social sciences and the arts.
“We have had very early talks with local authorities and some of the local landowners and will be looking to develop a masterplan for investments there over the next year or so.
“MIPIM is the leading global property show and we will be there to present our initial thoughts to a range of property professionals both from the UK and internationally.
“The development industry is well aware of the level of investment the University has made on its main campus, and I am sure that there will be parties interested in being involved in such an exciting site with great potential.”
The Coventry and Warwickshire MIPIM Partnership is made up of leading companies and organisations which fund the area’s presence at the show.
Key development and investment opportunities are highlighted through a major stand at the event and also through a series of key events.