Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has lodged an application for planning permission in principle to facilitate the second and final phase of development at Inverness Campus. The application primarily seeks permission to establish essential infrastructure, including roads and utilities, which will create serviced plots ready for sale to developers.

The proposals for this next phase predominantly focus on commercial floorspace, alongside provisions for hotel and academic space. The application also encompasses associated infrastructure, landscaping, and the integration of green spaces.

Inverness Campus currently spans 215 acres, with 89 acres already developed. Of the remaining 117 undeveloped acres, 27 are designated within the Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport. This designation offers eligible companies locating within this zone a range of tax incentives and presents opportunities for the Campus to support emerging industries, particularly in the renewable energy sector, complementing its established life sciences cluster.

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HIE has been spearheading the development of Inverness Campus since 2007, with initial construction commencing in 2013. The agency's foundational £25 million investment has since attracted over £180 million in further development, cultivating a high-quality collaborative environment that currently supports 1,200 jobs across both public and private sectors.

Since its official opening in 2015, Inverness Campus has evolved into a significant business location, now home to 16 commercial enterprises alongside key organisations such as the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), NHS Highland, and HIE itself.

An updated masterplan for the remaining undeveloped portion of the site was drafted by Turnberry on behalf of HIE, adhering to the vision laid out in the original design concept. This was followed by a public consultation period in January and February 2025, allowing local residents and stakeholders to provide input and help finalise the masterplan before the submission of the planning application.

David Oxley, HIE's director of strategic projects, commented: "We're very pleased to have got to this important stage in the development of Inverness Campus. We'd like to thank everyone who took the time to examine the draft masterplan and provide feedback to help inform the planning application."

The submission of this planning application marks a crucial step towards realising the full potential of Inverness Campus as a key economic and innovation hub in the Highlands.