The University has welcomed a Glasgow City Council planning committee decision to back the development of the Gilmorehill campus, including the former Western Infirmary site.

The decision came at a pre-determination hearing of Glasgow City Council’s planning committee, which backed the University’s campus development masterplan.

A spokesperson for the University said: “We are delighted to have received support for our plans at today’s meeting. This is an interim but important stage of the planning process. The campus masterplan is due to go before a full council meeting on February 16, 2017, which we hope will give planning approval for this exciting and ambitious development which will transform the University’s teaching and research provision as well as enhancing the amenities of the city’s West End.”

The Court of the University of Glasgow gave its formal approval for a revised capital plan for the development of the main campus on Wednesday, December 14, 2016. Provided Glasgow City Council gives planning approval next month, an initial financial envelope of around £450m will be spent over the next five years and is part of a wider £1bn investment, including significant spend on refurbishing and improving the existing estate. This will be one of the biggest educational infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history.

Image of an impression of the exterior view of the research hub

So what happens next?

by Davina Wyper, Campus Development Communications

The revised capital plan will deliver the redevelopment of the Gilmorehill Campus in a phased approach expanding and improving facilities for each of our four Colleges. Final details and requirements for each building have yet to be finalised but University Court has requested that business cases are created for the following projects:

Phase 1A 2017 – 2021

• An Arts and Humanities Building, constructed on the south of the former Western Infirmary site, will allow co-location of some areas of the College of Arts in Phase 1A with the entire college relocating in Phase 2.

• A new Institute of Health and Wellbeing will be built on the north of the site. This will enable the relocation of staff from MRC / CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit at Renfield Street and staff at Gartnavel General Hospital to the Gilmorehill Campus.

• The Joseph Black Building will undergo an external refurbishment and internally, two new research laboratories will be created.

• A new building for Adam Smith Business School will be constructed on the north-west corner of the former Western Infirmary site, relocating from School from the Gilbert Scot Building. This new building will also house significant PGT teaching and social space for the whole University and will be a key part of an Innovation Quarter to be located along Church Street. It is likely this project will be completed by the end of 2021.

An additional two buildings will be constructed in Phase 1A which will benefit all areas of the University:

• A new Research Hub will allow the expansion of research activity from all four colleges and offer translational space for early-stage spin-out companies and research postgraduate space. It is hoped this space will be completed by 2020.

• The Learning and Teaching Hub on University Avenue will be the first new building on the campus. This will offer all areas of the University, state-of-the-art, teaching, study and social facilities and should be completed in 2019.

Phase 1B 2022 – 2026

• A new building for Engineering research and teaching will be constructed over two phases. Initially Engineering Research and Teaching will occupy James Watt South and the new (part) build (Phase 1B), allowing for the demolition of the Rankine Building. The move for Engineering in its entirety should be completed in Phase 2.

• The Social Justice Hub will be created in the Gilbert Scott Building with a phased approach to co-location. Some moving in Phase 1b and others in Phase 2.

• Move any remaining MVLS activity from the Joseph Black Building. This will create decant space for chemistry.

• Commence the development of an Innovation Quarter on the western infirmary site.

Phase 2 2027 – 2035

Phase two projects are outwith the scope of the existing capital plan but business cases for the following projects will be developed;  

• Complete the move of the College of Arts.

• Complete the move for Engineering.

• Relocate the University services currently based at Tay House, Charing Cross back to the main campus. 

• Move Mathematics and Statistics into a permanent location.

First published: 11 January 2017

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