Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has welcomed the news that The University of the Highlands and Islands has signed a £44m agreement with specialist student residences developer Cityheart to build and operate student residences across the Highlands and Islands.

Work for Phase 1 of the project is due to start in the next week on a 40 bed residence in Fort William near West Highland College UHI on An Aird and a 150 bed facility near Inverness College UHI on the new Inverness Campus.

Both projects, valued at £10m in total, are due to be completed in time for new students arriving in September 2016.

Mr Thompson said, “I welcome the news that work will be beginning imminently on a 40 bed student residence in Fort William and that developer Cityheart, who have experience in developing student residences, will be at the helm on the project.

“This is good news for Fort William and the surrounding area, as students bring added vibrancy to our communities and will contribute to the local economy. As well as the students benefitting from the experienced staff managing the facility, they will have the opportunity to live and study in the beautiful and historic surroundings of Fort William”.

Note:

A second phase, valued at £34m, will see Cityheart seeking additional suitable development sites throughout the university’s area with a view to providing a further 470 student beds by September 2017.