Land around QMU

The development of the Edinburgh Innovation Hub and the potential future Innovation Park on land adjacent to Queen Margaret University (QMU) has taken a major step forward. 

Edinburgh Innovation Hub

Construction started in late 2023 for the 7,200 sqm Edinburgh Innovation Hub, that will be a nationally significant facility to capture, support and grow innovation-led enterprise in East Lothian and the wider regional area. The Hub is a joint venture between East Lothian Council and Queen Margaret University (QMU).

Focusing on important high growth sectors with specialist needs, including the food and drink sector, the Hub will support innovative start-ups and small to medium sized businesses, delivering a specialist service for research and business development. It will become a vibrant new economic innovation cluster featuring serviced and fitted commercial laboratory, office and events space.

The venture is supported by £28.6 million from the UK Government, £1.4 million from the Scottish Government and £10 million from East Lothian Council as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal (ESES City Region Deal). 

The Hub is a first step in the development of the wider Edinburgh Innovation Park on land adjacent to the QMU campus. The development was granted planning permission in principle in March 2019, as part of a mixed use development, including new homes and a new primary school, business & industry use and community facilities.

Completion of the Hub is expected in 2025.

Transport and travel

The wider area ( of 116.5 hectares) was granted outline planning permission in March 2019, including  the delivery of  a grade-separated junction providing easier access to and from the Musselburgh bypass, the creation of pedestrian and cycle routes, including the council’s Segregated Active Travel Corridor, the delivery of 1500 homes, a primary school, business space, community facilities, public parks and playing fields. The new junction was officially opened in June 2023.

Housing

Persimmon Homes were granted detailed planning permission for 370 houses and 103 flats on part of the site in March 2019. The development is well underway with many homes occupied.  Outline permission was also granted for a new primary school in November 2022.