Major New Campus for Inverness Takes Step Forward
Two planning firms have been appointed to draw up a master plan for what is considered to be one of the most important developments for the Highlands and Islands over the next 20 years. It is hoped that an outline planning application for a new Inverness College campus including research and other new facilities for UHI Millennium Institute, might be submitted by early 2009.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is leading the project in partnership with Inverness College, UHI and The Highland Council to develop a 200-acre site at Beechwood, just off the A9 south, by the end of this year. The campus is also intended to comprise a new business school; research and innovation incubation facilities, student residences and a regional sports centre of excellence all set within a parkland environment. Edinburgh-based MAKE Architects and Turnberry Consulting have been appointed to work up a masterplan and application for outline planning permission for the development.
The project is dependent on the completion of the proposed Inverness Trunk Link road. This route, for which two sections have already been completed, needs to be joined up so that traffic can circumnavigate the city and provide access to the Beechwood campus.
James Gibbs, HIE's area manager for the Inner Moray Firth, said: "This is a proposal of huge significance for the Highlands, making a major contribution to the North of Scotland's knowledge economy. We want to provide a facility that is magnetic to students, academia and knowledge-based inward investors.
"Our partners, Inverness College, UHI and The Highland Council share our task in realising this ambitious vision for the region and we are also in discussions with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Agricultural College regarding their interest in having a presence at this site.
"However completion of the Inverness Trunk link road is absolutely essential if this campus vision is to be a success. We want to outline our proposal to Transport Scotland, so that they can include this information when considering how to allocate their expenditure programme."
And the deputy principal of UHI, James Fraser, said: "This is a flagship development which will provide Inverness with a proper university campus and vibrant student life. It will have a major impact on the city and on the Highlands and Islands. UHI is a partnership of colleges and research centres throughout the region, and the development of any one partner brings strength to the whole institution."
Negotiations to secure land for the campus from the Department of Rural Affairs are being finalised and HIE hopes to be able to submit an application for outline planning permission early in 2009. If approved and agreement is reached on completion of the distributor road, the college building should be completed by 2012/13.
John Spencer, Principal of Inverness College UHI said: "The creation of our new campus, replacing the existing buildings, will provide state-of-the-art, 21st Century learning facilities to serve the City and wider region. Inverness College has already started its transformation to offer everything from craft skills to post-doctorate research opportunities, and the new campus is essential if we are to fully realise that ambition."
The proposals currently being considered include the possibility of including a fourth phase of the Centre for Health Science incorporating a Centre for Wellbeing, Institute for Primary Care and Satellite Medical School.
UHI is the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands and provides higher education programmes through a network of colleges and research centres across the Highlands and Islands. Inverness College UHI is one of the largest partners.
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