Start date for new £50 million Highlands' university campus

Building of the new £50 million Inverness College UHI will create 300 construction jobs and facilities for more than 8,500 students.

Work will start next month and help stimulate economic growth across the region, according to Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The 13.3 acre University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) development, at Beechwood, will also provide at least 28 modern apprenticeships and has been heralded as positive news for the construction industry.

Inverness is the first further education college to use the non profit distributing financing model, which ensures private sector returns are capped, that there is no dividend bearing equity, and any surplus is directed in favour of the public sector.

"The new £50 million Inverness College UHI will be a landmark building, the centrepiece in a high quality, modern and sustainable campus being developed on the outskirts of the city," Ms Sturgeon said.

"This government is determined to invest in Scotland’s infrastructure — our schools, roads and hospitals — both to stimulate growth in the short term and lay the foundations for long term success.

"That is good news for the Highland economy and its construction industry and will attract businesses and highly trained professionals to the Highlands to help stimulate economic growth."

The college will be built by Miller Construction and is due to open in 2015.

Diane Rawlinson, principal and chief executive at Inverness College UHI, said it would be a state-of-the-art facility offering one of the best education environments in the country.

"It will play a core role in the economic growth of the Highland economy," she added.

"We are pleased the finance and legal agreements are now in place and very much look forward to work starting on site soon."