AN economic development plan for the Midlothian area aims to create 3000 jobs in the life sciences and biotechnology sectors within the next five years.
If successful, the strategy will almost quadruple Midlothian's emerging research, development and scientific production base. This is worth about #30m annually, and includes such names as PPL Therapeutics, the Roslin Institute and the Moredun Institute, where the strategy was unveiled yesterday.
The plan, which is being spearheaded by Midlothian Council and Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise (Leel), aims to reverse the decline in local employment caused by the loss of roughly 6000 mining jobs. This culminated in February when Monktonhall colliery's last pit-head tower was demolished.
Between 1981 and 1995, employment in Midlothian fell 22% to 18,300.
Although per-capita unemployment has declined as more residents commute to Edinburgh, economic development leaders are concerned about the haemorrhage of local jobs. The ultimate goal is to produce a 30% net increase in jobs based in Midlothian by the year 2008.
The Economic Strategy for Midlothian includes platforms for expanding tourism, construction and other areas of business. However, biotechnology and life sciences were identified as among the most promising areas upon which to build.
Leel chief executive Des Bonnar said that the growth in life sciences and biotechnology employment would be delivered through inward investment, greater encouragement for science-based start-up companies and organic growth in existing organisations.
''Midlothian stands at the threshold of a new dawn of opportunity,'' Bonnar said. ''As the global economy enters the knowledge-based era, Midlothian is poised to become a leading centre for the life sciences and biotechnology.''
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