The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Guardbridge could see 500 jobs from cities deal
St Andrews University aims to create posts at its Eden Campus with Tay Cities Deal help
St Andrews University has announced plans to create 500 new jobs at its Eden Campus in Guardbridge as part of a £24 million bid to redevelop the site.
The ambitious move would form part of the £1.84 billion Tay Cities Deal, 50 projects across Tayside and north-east Fife unveiled earlier this month.
The university has already invested £25m in its award-winning green energy centre at the Eden Campus, which pumps hot water four miles to St Andrews to heat university buildings.
The latest bid would see the redevelopment of an additional 5,500 square metres of existing derelict buildings.
It is predicted the Tay Cities funding could unlock up to £75m of other inward investment within the first five years from a mixture of industry and private sector investors.
Projects earmarked for the bid include a zero carbon integrated energy community, an enterprise centre and a location for a “living lab” environment.
St Andrews University official Derek Watson said: “With Tay Cities Deal help, we can continue to redevelop buildings and provide the necessary infrastructure to co-locate exciting new industry alongside academic expertise from across Scotland.
“Our plans for Eden Campus are ambitious but with help from our partners in the Tay cities region and government support we believe we can make a genuine contribution to the Government’s strategic objectives and society as a whole.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie said: “I am delighted that the university is putting forward ambitious proposals to further develop their Eden Campus.
“This is a strong bid which would build on the existing investment.
“The university’s redevelopment of Guardbridge has my full support.”
SNP North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins said: “I am delighted that the university has taken this step; its continued commitment to the Eden Campus project is great news for the local economy and surrounding communities.”
More than 350 university staff will relocate to Guardbridge from St Andrews next year.