HIE unveils plans for business space at Inverness Campus

26th March 2013

Highlands and Islands Enterprise submitted plans this week for the next phase of construction at Inverness Campus – the first of several state-of-the-art office/lab complexes.

With infrastructure and groundworks now well underway at the 215 acre site, the creation of this speculative unit is part of HIE’s strategy to attract leading life science businesses to the Highlands and Islands.

It will be of particular interest to businesses hoping to capitalise on the Campus’s enterprise area status, which it received from the Scottish Government last year.

The status reflects the development’s close proximity to Raigmore Hospital, the Centre for Health Science and LifeScan Scotland, as well as the cluster of life sciences businesses and organisations which has grown rapidly in the Highlands and Islands region over recent years.

Another sign of the site taking shape will be the installation of the golden pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A9 overnight on 6/7 April. The bridge will be a key link between the Campus and the city centre.

Ruaraidh MacNeil, project director of HIE’s Inverness Campus, said: “It’s really exciting to see the site taking shape and we’re looking forward to starting the next phase of construction following the completion of groundworks and infrastructure and the installation of the golden bridge.

“The accommodation will complement the Campus’ outstanding landscaped environment, parkland surroundings and contemporary facilities, making it a highly attractive place to work and set up business.

“Our focus over the coming months will be to identify businesses and organisations interested in relocating to the development, particularly life sciences businesses, which are set to benefit from enterprise area incentives and the growth potential offered by the region’s excellent reputation for life sciences.”

One of the most important projects in the Highlands for several decades, the Campus will provide a collaborative base for industry, academia, the public sector and third sector organisations.

Inverness College UHI will relocate to its new facility at Inverness Campus in 2015, and other developments already planned include a hotel, a new base for Scotland’s Rural College and a health science facility.