Step forward for RGU’s new Aberdeen campus plan

A MULTI-MILLION pound university campus could soon be a reality after council officials recommended plans be approved.

Robert Gordon University launched a bid last year to build a new £148 million site next to its current campus at Aberdeen’s Garthdee.

Now the city council’s development management committee is preparing to discuss the plans.

The university wants to create a new base which would include engineering, art, architecture and pharmacy departments.

And the existing campus would see a new main entrance built, including a plaza and a library tower.

University bosses also want to build a pedestrian bridge over the River Dee to a new site with sports pitches.

A report to the development management committee said the building would go up in stages – with the site completed by 2015.

The masterplan, which was launched in May and handed into Aberdeen City Council planners in November, is a major re-working of an earlier scheme and came after RGU bought 50 acres of land south of River Dee.

A total of 56 letters were written to the council objecting to the proposal.

Critics raised concerns about the increased strain on roads and the proposed 1,050 parking spaces not being enough for the development.

Head of planning Maggie Bochel said the designs were “strongly supported and recommended for approval”.

Meanwhile, councillors are also being recommended to approve applications for more than 400 new homes in the city. George Wimpey has applied to demolish the Balgownie Centre in Bridge of Don to make way for houses.

nevans@ajl.co.uk