Leeds Research & Innovation Hub plans revealed

Planning permission has been sought to develop a new healthcare-focused research and development hub in Leeds Innovation District.

Submitted by Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, the application forms part of a £450m investment into transforming the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) site into an educational healthcare facility with access to the latest technologies, treatments and research.

Proposed plans include building of a new adults hospital, and the relocation of Leeds Children’s Hospital to the LGI site.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust chair Linda Pollard explained: “The potential of this development is enormous, not only for the future of health services for patients in Leeds and beyond, but also for skills and investment it will bring to the city and the vital role it will play in establishing the Innovation District.”

The plans follow a number of other investments into the city’s Innovation District, including Leeds Beckett University’s £80m creative arts building, an expansion of Leeds Arts University and a £40m investment into the Nexus innovation hub by the University of Leeds.

Deputy vice chancellor for research and innovation at the University of Leeds and Leeds Innovation District board member, Professor Lisa Roberts, added: “Such ambitious plans for developing the LGI site is testament to our determination for Leeds to remain at the forefront of healthcare innovation.”