SRUC sets out proposals to expand Aberdeen campus

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is working on plans to expand its Craibstone campus in Aberdeen which could include new research facilities, a veterinary practice and student accommodation.

The potential location of a new multimillion-pound food and drink centre is also included in the proposals.

The SeedPod is a £21m investment to create a centre of excellence for the food and drink sector in north-east Scotland.

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The land has already been identified in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan for projects to support education and research.

SRUC has opened a public consultation on its proposals, which are at a very early stage and are long term, “looking 10 to 15 years into the future”.

Consultations on the SeedPod will be taken separately by the private-sector group Opportunity North East, which is providing funding along with the UK and Scottish governments.

Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council are also involved in the partnership and SRUC is providing the land for the SeedPod, which is due to open in 2022.

Professor Wayne Powell, principal and chief executive of SRUC, said: “By delivering a modern teaching and research campus alongside SeedPod we can enhance the impact of both projects.

“A strong local presence and a focus on skills that will help boost the economy is at the heart of SRUC’s vision. This can only be achieved in partnership with the local communities which is why we are sharing these early proposals to explore how they could be developed further to support the region.

“We are fully committed to the north-east of Scotland and the extended campus will benefit research and education in the area.

“The views collected during this consultation will help us to develop these plans further and will be used to help us seek funding for what would be an exciting development.”