HIE takes major step towards Inverness Campus expansion

Plans for a hotel and academic space at Inverness Campus have been given the green light after securing planning permission in principle.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been allowed to progress to the second and final phase of development, subject to an agreement with Highland Council.

The 215 acre (87ha) purpose-built campus opened in 2015, and is home to 16 businesses as well as organisations like UHI and the NHS.

The next stage would see the addition of commercial properties, with 27 acres (11ha) forming part of the new Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport.

HIE said the freeport status would create opportunities for the campus to support the renewable energy sector and life sciences.

The development agency has been working on the project since 2007. Construction began in 2013 with £25m of funding.

A spokesperson said Inverness Campus was now supporting about 1,000 jobs across the public, private and academic sectors.

HIE said the last stage of development still needed final agreement with the local authority, under a planning requirement called a section 75 agreement.