Green light for university campus

An artist's impression of the campus, surrounded by woodland

Plans for Scotland's first new university campus of the 21st century have been given the go-ahead.

The new campus for Queen Margaret University College will be built on a 35-acre site at Craighall in East Lothian with work starting next year.

More than 4,000 staff and students will relocate from Corstorphine and Leith in 2007. The university is expected to bring £32m to the local economy.

Local people will be encouraged to use the facilities on the new campus.

The plans were approved in May by East Lothian Council but were referred to the Scottish Executive, which is standard procedure in large-scale developments.

The university has now been advised that ministers will not require a public inquiry, clearing the way for work to begin during the second quarter of next year.

Education 'statement'

About 1,200 jobs will be directly attributable to QMUC with 500 jobs involved in the construction phase.

QMUC principal Professor Anthony Cohen said: "We are delighted that this project has been given the stamp of Scottish Executive approval without the need for a lengthy and costly public inquiry.

"Scotland's first purpose-designed university campus for a generation will in itself be a statement about the importance of higher education for the country as a whole."

Alongside the academic buildings, the campus will contain student accommodation, sports and leisure facilities and social spaces, laid out in a parkland setting.

'Green Heart'

Vehicle access will be controlled with internal routes prioritised for pedestrians and cyclists and people will be encouraged to use public transport.

The University Square will form the main entry point and serve as an interchange. A second major space - the "Green Heart" - will be the master plan's central focus, linking the academic and residential accommodation.

QMUC is recognised for its UK Centre for the History of Nursing and is the only Scottish institution specialising in international health care by providing education and consultancy through a Centre for International Health Studies.