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Inverness
Thursday, February 13, 2025

Inverness Campus Set for Next Phase of Ambitious Development

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Plans for the next stage of development at Inverness Campus are moving forward, with a public consultation programme kicking off this week to gather feedback from the community.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which has already developed over 40 hectares of the site, is inviting residents and stakeholders to help shape the proposals for phase two of the project, ensuring the plans reflect the needs and vision of the region.

Strategic planners Turnberry have been appointed to update the site’s masterplan, building on the original design concept while incorporating the new opportunities created by Inverness and Cromarty Firth’s Green Freeport status.

The public will get their first look at the draft proposals at a two-day exhibition hosted at An Lòchran on Inverness Campus this Friday, 24 January, between 11am and 6pm, and Saturday, 25 January, from 10am to 2pm.

Members of the design team will be available during the exhibition to answer questions, discuss the plans in detail, and gather valuable feedback from attendees.

A second event, scheduled for 21 and 22 February at the same location, will provide an update on the plans and give the community another opportunity to contribute their thoughts before the masterplan is finalised.

Audrey MacIver, HIE’s area manager responsible for Inverness Campus, highlighted the importance of community input in shaping the development.

“This is about gathering feedback on our current plans for the next phase of development at Inverness Campus and using this to strengthen the proposals before we move forward,” she said.

“It’s about maintaining momentum and building on the strong progress that’s been made so far.

“We look forward to welcoming people this week and hearing their thoughts on the draft proposals.

“All the feedback we receive will be considered carefully as part of the planning application, and there will be a further opportunity to input at the event in February before we finalise the masterplan.”

Since construction began in 2013, Inverness Campus has evolved into a thriving hub of innovation and collaboration, supporting growth in key sectors such as life sciences while fostering connections between business, academia, and research.

Opened in 2015, the Campus is already home to 16 commercial enterprises and a range of organisations, including UHI, SRUC, NHS Highland, and HIE itself.

The next phase of development aims to build on this success, ensuring the Campus continues to serve as a world-class location for business and research while creating new opportunities for the region’s economy.

In December, Turnberry submitted a ‘Proposal of Application Notice’ to The Highland Council, laying out plans for pre-application public consultations ahead of a full planning application in spring 2025.

The updated masterplan will guide the development of the remaining undeveloped areas of the Campus, aligning with the region’s ambitions as part of the Green Freeport initiative.

This consultation process is an opportunity for the community to play a central role in shaping the future of Inverness Campus, ensuring the plans reflect local priorities and support long-term growth and innovation in the region.

All are encouraged to attend the consultation events or provide feedback online to help shape the next chapter of this transformative project.

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