Landmark campus set for approval

Published on Friday 1 August 2008 10:39

MULTI-million-pound plans to transform Napier University's Sighthill campus look set to get the go-ahead.

The plans would see the "landmark" development built alongside its existing ageing eight-storey tower block, which would be re-clad in metal panelling.

The university's plans are a key part of a 15-year scheme to regenerate Sighthill, which will see neighbouring residential tower blocks replaced with new homes and a play park.

A new street is also to be built, complete with a parade of shops, a library and a student housing development, while a new civic space and park will be created beside the redeveloped campus.

The new campus will be ready to open in 2010 and will accommodate 5000 students if, as expected, the university is granted planning permission at a meeting next Wednesday.

A Napier University spokeswoman said: "By blending visionary learning and research spaces with state-of-the art technology, Napier's Sighthill campus is set to become a campus fit for 21st century learning and working – maximising opportunities for interaction between students, staff, visitors and the local community.

"The redevelopment of the Sighthill Campus is central to Napier's ambitious 100m estate strategy, launched in November 2006."

The revamped campus, designed by award-winning architect RMJM, will comprise a sports centre and bring the health, life and social sciences faculty together under one roof.

A glass-fronted atrium, which developers say will "create a social hub" for the building, will be one of its main features.

In a report for the committee, Head of Planning Alan Henderson said: "The proposed building creates an arrival point in the form of a large civic space leading to the main entrance on the eastern side of the building."

In order for the application to go through, Napier will have to pay 150,000 to the city council towards the creation of a new junction between Sighthill Court and Calder Road, to allow vehicles approaching from the east to access the campus without needing to use the Bankhead roundabout which suffers from rush-hour delays.

The junction could also allow buses to travel through both the Napier campus and nearby Stevenson College.

The university would also have to pay a contribution of 148,000 towards the tram scheme given the campus's proximity to the new route.

Napier chiefs believe the project will "significantly contribute" to the area and the local economy, with the construction programme alone creating 100 full-time jobs.