A UNIQUE medical technology centre, developing cutting-edge equipment, will be built at a new business park in Southend.

It is estimated the centre alone will create up to 4,000 jobs, with the surrounding park bringing thousands more.

The grand plan, approved this week by the Government, is set to transform green belt land off Cherry Orchard Way, near Southend Airport.

The project – called the Anglia Ruskin MedTech Campus – is an Essex-wide venture between the Anglian Ruskin University, local authorities, medical technology businesses and hospitals.

Three campuses will be created – in Southend, Chelmsford and Harlow – together producing up to 12,500 jobs.

The centres will aim to allow businesses specialising in anything from MRI scanners to hospital gowns, to work more closely with medical experts linked with the university.

This will hopefully lead to the development of new and innovative medical methods, which in turn could produce better healthcare for patients.

Southend Council’s chief executive Rob Tinlin was this week at the House of Commons to see the project given Government approval after months of negotiation.

He said: “Southend will be the first of three centres to be built. It’s a super opportunity for the town. It will be wonderful, and will also kickstart the development and marketing for the new business park, which will give us countrywide, and even worldwide, marketing and profile.”

Professor Tony Young, of MedTech, said: “We can’t find any other facility like this anywhere in the world, so we will be one of the world’s largest healthcare innovation specialists.

“This is about giving all those in the health care system the chance to develop their fantastic ideas and put them back out into the world to help improve standards for staff and patients.”

Southend-based companies, such as KeyMed and Surgical Holdings, are already on board, and it is hoped others will soon follow.

They will join forces with Southend Hospital to work alongside the university. Mr Tinlin added: “This is the launch, so there is not a lot of detail yet, but we are looking for companies to come forward for the three sites.

“It could be a lot of small companies with great ideas, or one or two multinationals together with some small companies, but they would get the support they need.”

John Lamb, Southend councillor responsible for regeneration and enterprise, was also excited.

He said: “This is fantastic news and shows the confidence there is in Southend.

“To have all these organisations working together is wonderful. The campus will develop innovative ideas with companies. It really is a great opportunity.”

The new 50-acre business park, to be called Saxon Business Park and campus, is to be built on green belt land owned by Southend Council.

It is situated partially in Rochford on fields north of the existing Aviation Way industrial estate.

It has been agreed by the two local authorities after a lengthy public consultation.