Birmingham Science Park Aston has shortlisted three potential joint venture partners to undertake development of the proposed £35 million Digital Plaza.

Bruntwood, Thomas Vale Construction and Trebor Developments/Hortons Estate consortium have been selected from the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) process, which attracted over 80 initial expressions of interest. The joint venture partner will be chosen this summer before a planning application is submitted.

The earmarked site next to Faraday Wharf building is within the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP’s Enterprise Zone proposals, which covers 27 sites within the Big City Plan area. It is envisaged that the Digital Plaza will be the first Enterprise Zone development to get underway.

All three shortlisted parties have backed the plans to create a high-tech business incubation centre to be named iCentrumTM, as the first of the four proposed Digital Plaza buildings.

Council leader coun Mike Whitby and chairman of the scheme, said: “Birmingham Science Park Aston demonstrates the vital importance of actively supporting start-ups on their path to becoming successful businesses in the high-growth technology sectors.

“The Entrepreneurs for the Future incubation facility, launched at the Park just over two years ago, has already created 54 new companies, with 82 employees and directors. It must continue to expand and embrace new sectors in order to create many more new high value jobs for local people.

“The Park already enjoys an international profile, and the Digital Plaza with the new iCentrumTM building will create a science park fit for 2020 and beyond here in the heart of Birmingham.