Life sciences campus centre plans revised
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PLANS for a major new development on Inverness Campus have been revised following feedback on the initial proposals.
The combined healthcare and life sciences multidisciplinary centre is a joint project between NHS Highland, the University of the Highlands and Islands UHI) and Highlands Islands Enterprise (HIE), and will serve the whole Highlands and Islands area. Once completed it is forecast to create around 189 new jobs.
Suggestions received by the developers after the initial plans went on display have led to changes to both the design and positioning of the building, as well as additional parking.
Ruaraidh Macneil, HIE’s Inverness Campus director, said: "The feedback from people who viewed the plans in July was incredibly useful and we are very pleased to have been able to make improvements as a result.
"This is a major development for Inverness and for the Highlands and Islands, delivering on a number of fronts. It will improve the health outcomes and patient experience across the region, while supporting the ongoing growth of the University of the Highlands and Islands. At the same time, it will also create new commercial opportunities and high value career options, thereby helping to attract and retain new talent for the region."
The project builds on the success of the Centre for Health Science, which opened in 2008. The Centre for Health Science 2 will be housed within a building of more than 8000m2 and will include a £34 million elective care centre with 28 inpatient beds, four operating theatres and day case and outpatient facilities.
UK government minister, Lord Duncan said: "I am sure that the life sciences innovation hub, which the UK Government was pleased to support with £9 million funding through the City Region Deal, will be a catalyst for developing and supporting science and innovation throughout the Highlands."
