AN INNOVATIVE business park at the University of Nottingham has been short-listed for a top.

Built on the site of the former Raleigh factory and next to the University's Jubilee Campus, the University of Nottingham Innovation Park opened its first phase in 2008.

It has continued to grow since then, with a further three buildings currently under construction.

The site has now been short-listed in the open collaboration category of the Lord Stafford Awards for innovation. They recognise the best in collaboration between business and academia.

A number of Notts ventures have won awards in the past.

In addition to providing high-quality business and conference space, the innovation park features a host of different centres aimed at encouraging closer working between business and the university.

These include the Ingenuity Programme, a collaborative partnership with Derby and Nottingham Trent universities designed to encourage greater interaction and knowledge transfer to smaller and medium-sized firms.

Another is the technology demonstrator facility, aimed at showcasing technology and academic research.

The three new buildings currently under construction – the Energy Technology Centre, the Institute for Mental Health Building and the Aerospace Centre – are all due for completion in 2012.

Bob Scott, who is the site's operations director, said the innovation park was a key facility for the East Midlands economy.

He said: "Although the concept of the University of Nottingham Innovation Park originated from the university, it addresses the need for the East Midlands to create a nationally recognised centre for research and collaboration in key economic sectors.

"This has been vital in ensuring, as the site has grown, partners including the East Midlands Development Agency, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, British Geological Survey and private sector businesses have come on board with the universities."

He added: "Of course, the key is the involvement of business interacting and innovating and the park, from the outset, was designed with this in mind."

Lord Stafford, who is patron of the awards, said: "In a relatively short period of time, the University of Nottingham Innovation Park has become a major research and development centre and has made excellent strides to build links with businesses.

"It truly is a fantastic facility and clearly there is still more to come.

"I wish the park and everybody involved all the best for the awards final."

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony being held at the University of Birmingham Great Hall on Thursday, November 17.

For further information about the Lord Stafford Awards visit www.thelordstaffordawards.co.uk.