College chief speaks up for new base

THERE has been a late flurry of discontent over the proposed development of the Scottish Agricultural College's Auchencruive campus site, on the outskirts of Ayr.

The issue dates back to 2001, when SAC reviewed its asset portfolio and decided to sell off the Ayrshire based campus leaving two main bases in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

But the latest ripple was caused by a planning application for development that is now going through the planning process with South Ayrshire Council.

Last week, Ayrshire region of NFU Scotland entered the fray with a formal objection stating that the original proposals for a golf course, business park and equestrian centre were unlikely to progress in the current recession.

The Ayrshire NFUS members and others who object to the development feel that there is still a need for facilities for teaching practical skills for students taking up agricultural careers.

But SAC chief executive Professor Bill McKelvey yesterday said that those who were unhappy at the situation should reflect that the replacement premises at Craigie, in Ayr, would provide the most modern facilities for students.

The Craigie complex, which is due to take its first intake of students in Autumn 2011, is costing a total of 70 million.

SAC is linking with the University of West Scotland in its creation, with SAC having a 9m bill to pay for its part of the development, said McKelvey.

He said: "We need to realise our assets at Auchencruive in order to pay for Craigie.

"This new complex will be the biggest single investment in rural education in Scotland."

He added that arrangements were being made with the Barony College in the south-west for students carrying out their practical training.

McKelvey dismissed any suggestion that the development at Auchencruive was breaking the original intention of the donor who had gifted the land.

"These issues have all been cleared. The development decision was taken five years ago."

He did however, agree with those who want to hold on to existing facilities when they said there was a greater need for research then there had ever been.

"We are very busy and our income from research has risen, but it is all being conducted at our campus sites in Edinburgh and Aberdeen."

McKelvey revealed that discussions between SAC and the three rural further education colleges in Scotland, Elmwood College, Cupar; Oatridge College, West Lothian and Barony College, Dumfries should produce a report on future co-operation between the four establishments later this year.