Uni hoping for new aquaculture centre

Scheme for new facility is part of City Region Deal

Stirling University is hoping to make a splash with a new aquaculture centre.

The ‘National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub’ (NATIH) is said to be an essential component of the Stirling and Clacksmananshire City Region Deal.

A planning application has been submitted to Stirling

Council planners for the Institute of Aquaculture facility on the university campus, including reusing part of an existing tropical aquarium building and create a new twostorey extension at the Pathfoot Building boiler house.

In documents submitted with the application, agents for the applicants said improved and expanded facilities were needed to provide office accommodation, research and teaching facilities for staff and students.

The facilities include: a unit for the study of bacterial, viral and parasitic disease of fish; controlled temperature experimental rooms that provide flexible and secure environments to support research programmes; office and front of house activity space; and back of house support facilities serving the Aquaria and Challenge facility.

The agents added: “The Institute of Aquaculture oncampus aquarium facilities are currently located within the tropical aquarium. The IoA have identified that the existing tropical aquarium facilities no longer meet the requirements of their research and development needs and investment is required to redevelop the building to meet the current and future requirements of the IoA.”

The Stirling and

Clackmannanshire City Region Deal pledges almost £100million from the UK and Scottish Governments with private and partner funding expected to bring the sum to a whopping £212m.

The deal focuses on delivering cutting-edge environmental projects, innovation in the digital and tourism sectors and boosting skills across the region to create a pathway for future success and resilience.