NEW UWS campus is given ok
Following a successful Advertiser-led campaign to keep the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) in Hamilton, council bosses this week gave the green light for plans which would see a new campus built on the outskirts of the town.
The application was put forward by UWS and is set to include academic, specialist laboratory support, sports and office buildings, new access roads and car parking at the Eco Campus, on Stephenson Place, Hamilton International-technology Park.
A separate application, which was also approved, will see three buildings within the park be adapted for academic use.
UWS said they were delighted that full planning consent was granted, and the University Court will vote on final approval in June.
A plan to build a new university campus on the edge of Hamilton was this week granted planning permission in principle by council officials.
At a meeting of South Lanarkshire Council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday the proposal was one of two applications put forward by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS).
The first will see a new campus incorporating academic, specialist laboratory support, sports and office buildings, new access roads and car parking at the Eco Campus, Stephenson Place, Hamilton International Technology Park.
This will also have student accommodation, sports facilities and pitches, a students’ union, retail and landscaping at the site.
The other application, which was granted detailed consent, will transform the Edzell, Dunlee and Carrick buildings, also on Stephenson Place.
It will see the three buildings adapted for academic use, with additional external alterations to include new glazed atriums linking them together and a glazed extension.
The proposal is classified as a ‘major’ development under the Town and Country Planning (Hierarchy of Developments) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 and was the subject of pre-application consultation, including a public exhibition held at Hamilton International Technology Park on March 11 and 12 of this year.
In a report to the planning committee, Michael Mcglynn, executive director of community and enterprise resources, stated: “Due to the scale and nature of the development the application site was considered the most appropriate in terms of economic viability, sustainability and proximity to the university’s current location (at Almada Street, Hamilton).
“The university is a major employer in South Lanarkshire and its relocation within Hamilton would create significant economic benefits in terms of growth and investment.”
UWS were delighted that full planning consent for their proposed campus at Hamilton International Technology Park was granted.
A UWS spokesperson said: “The new campus is subject to final approval being given by the university’s governing body, UWS Court, at a meeting at the end of June. This meeting will see court consider the findings of the full business case which was recently undertaken.
“If approved by court, the new campus will be a game-changer for higher education in Scotland, creating the country’s most dynamic and exciting learning environment, allowing UWS to grow the educational opportunities for students internationally, across the UK, Lanarkshire and the wider central belt.
“The new campus development presents a truly transformational opportunity for UWS and would enable the university to further build on its strong presence in, and contribution to, the region.”
UWS has approximately 4000 students and 285 staff at its current Lanarkshire campus and has an annual economic impact of over £69 million in South Lanarkshire.
Central Scotland MSP and Hamilton councillor Monica Lennon was instrumental in keeping UWS in Hamilton. She told the Advertiser this week: “I welcome the progress being made to secure the long-term future of the UWS Lanarkshire campus in Hamilton. South Lanarkshire Council granting planning permission is an important step. The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council must never allow a lack of funding to put our campus at risk ever again.
“The Keep UWS in Hamilton Campaign was recently awarded ‘Campaign of the Year’ by the Students’ Association of the University of the West of Scotland in recognition of the collective efforts of the students, local politicians, the wider community and the Hamilton Advertiser. In my new role as MSP I will maintain a keen interest in making sure the needs of students and residents in our community always come first.”
Christina Mckelvie, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, added: “It is a great feeling, and a great step forward for Hamilton, to see the application for our new university campus accepted. Now we can begin the construction process that will open the door to a fantastic building with state-of-the-art facilities that will give our young people the best possible learning environment.
“Many people have worked hard to get to this stage – including the Hamilton Advertiser itself – as I worked with the UWS principal and vice-principal for the right outcome. This result is good for the students, good for the community and good for the revival of this area.”