Plans for a new multi-stakeholder education, research and business campus have been approved.

Developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Inverness Campus will provide a base for Inverness College, UHI, the Scottish Agricultural College, Centre for Health Science phase 4, a training hotel and sports and community facilities.

Highland Councillors approved detailed plans for phase 1 of the Campus. The development achieved Planning Permission in Principle in March this year.

Ruaraidh MacNeil, Inverness Campus Project Director at HIE, said: "This is a really exciting day for the Highlands and Islands. Inverness Campus is a transformational project and we can now look forward to starting work on site very early in the New Year.

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"Bringing together a number of education, business and research partners, Inverness Campus will be a nationally significant centre of excellence.

"HIE is investing £25 million in developing the infrastructure for phase 1, which will bring a wealth of benefits to the Highlands and Islands. It will attract businesses and investment, provide further educational opportunities for young people and act as a magnet for talent.

"It will also be a development for the local community, with green space, sports and recreational facilities open for all to use. We plan to continue working closely with the community as we develop further plans."

It is estimated Inverness Campus could attract investment of over £100 million, generating £38 million for the Highlands and Islands economy.

HIE hopes work will start in early 2012 with the first buildings opening their doors early 2015.

(GK)