Campus concept for Aberdeen

_{An early concept drawing for SRUC’s expanded Aberdeen Campus.}

SRUC is sharing an early concept masterplan for the expansion of its Craibstone Campus in Aberdeen and is seeking community views on the proposals.

While the proposals are long term - looking ten to 15 years into the future - the initial ideas include new teaching facilities focussed on animal health and supporting skills for rural veterinary practices. There will be new research facilities. The proposals also include space for a veterinary practice partnership and new halls of residence.

SRUC is seeking feedback from the community through its website www.sruc.ac.uk/craibstone-consultation by the 8 January 2021.

The new facilities would be built beside the new SeedPod industry development hub, a £21 million investment to create a centre of excellence for the food and drink sector in north-east Scotland that will deliver regional and national growth ambitions.

The land has already been identified in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan for development to support education and research.

Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, said: “By delivering a modern teaching and research campus alongside SeedPod we can enhance the impact of both projects.

“A strong local presence and a focus on skills that will help boost the economy is at the heart of SRUC’s vision. This can only be achieved in partnership with the local communities which is why we are sharing these early proposals to explore how they could be developed further to support the region.

“We are fully committed to the North East of Scotland and the extended campus will benefit research and education in the area. The views collected during this consultation will help us to develop these plans further and will be used to help us seek funding for what would be an exciting development.”

SeedPod is backed with £10m of capital funding from the UK Government and Scottish Government through the Aberdeen City Region Deal – a partnership between both governments, Opportunity North East (ONE), Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council. ONE is providing £4.4m of funding and SRUC is providing the land for SeedPod. ONE, the project lead, will be taking forward planning for SeedPod in the new year.

Posted by SRUC on 09/12/2020