Plans for a major expansion and development of the University of Glasgow’s main Gilmorehill campus have been unveiled. The University has already secured most of the site currently occupied by the Western Infirmary in an area bounded by Dumbarton Road, Church Street and University Avenue from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Talks are continuing to secure a remaining part of the site which would provide the entire 14 acres for University use.

Western site 500The Western Infirmary will continue to operate until 2015.

Work will now begin on a campus strategy including the building of a development framework that will involve extensive consultation with University of Glasgow staff, students, local residents, businesses and other interest groups. There will also be widespread discussions with Glasgow City Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and other key stakeholders on the most appropriate way to develop the site.

Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “This is as significant a development in the on-going story of the University of Glasgow as the relocation to Gilmorehill from the city centre was in 1870. The acquisition of the Western Infirmary site will allow us a unique opportunity to provide modern, fit for purpose facilities that are in keeping with Glasgow’s status as a world leading research-intensive university. As ever, the student experience is at the heart of all that we do, and the campus redevelopment will allow us to focus on what our students want and need, as well as providing an environment that is open and accessible to the wider community.”

In addition to consulting widely on the future of the Western Infirmary site, the University of Glasgow also intends to review how best to use the other properties on the existing Gilmorehill campus to ensure they are aligned with the University’s strategic plan and the future needs of higher education. The redevelopment will also provide the University of Glasgow with an opportunity to develop a sustainable estate, including ambitious carbon footprint reduction targets.

Professor Muscatelli added: “We now have an opportunity to create a lasting legacy for future generations of students, academics, local people and for the city of Glasgow as whole. The investment in the campus is one of the key elements in the delivery of our strategy of Glasgow 2020, which is focused on providing excellence in research, an unrivalled student experience and in placing the University of Glasgow as a truly global player in higher education. We are already committed to investing at least £80m in new buildings and equipment and £55m in refurbishing facilities over the next five years. Over the next ten years - as we develop the Gilmorehill site - we anticipate investing more in our infrastructure than was spent in delivering the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and so create something very special for our University community and the City of Glasgow.”

Robert Calderwood, Chief Executive, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, added:  “In 1878 the University transferred the land to the former Hospital Authority to construct the original Western Infirmary.  The terms of that deal stipulated that should the site no longer be required for healthcare purposes, the University should be given the opportunity to re-acquire it.

 “The Western Infirmary is to close when the new South Glasgow Hospital opens in 2015 and we are delighted that a significant part of the site has already been sold back to the University for educational purposes and that we continue with talks that would see the second part of the site also transfer back to the University.”

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The acquisition of this site by the University of Glasgow would present an opportunity to develop state of the art facilities that would consolidate and develop the city’s status as a leader in education, renewables, research and technology.  Many people and organisations have a stake in what may be developed here, and I am sure we all look forward to learning more about the proposals.”

Western site 300

 

Further information on the proposed development, along with details of public engagement and consultation events, can be found on the website www.gla.ac.uk/campusdevelopment

Contact the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3535 or email media@glasgow.ac.uk

First published: 18 February 2013

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