Local residents will have the opportunity to view Robert Gordon University's new plans for the development of its Garthdee campus at a series of public consultation events being held on 19 and 20 May.

Over the next decade the University aims to develop the east end of its Garthdee Campus with 34,000m2 of new build.

This will be connected to the existing Faculty of Health and Social Care, which neighbours RGU: SPORT and Aberdeen Business School.

The new development will provide state-of-the-art library facilities as well as formal and informal learning spaces for students who are currently housed in older accommodation which is less fit for modern purpose.

It will also allow staff and students from different disciplines to work much more closely together than has ever been possible over a split campus.

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The revised Masterplan is significantly different to the University's previous plans which saw major development across the whole of the Garthdee campus.

Mike Berry, Director of Estates at RGU said: "During the process of appointing architects for our previous Masterplan, and the acquisition of land to the south of the River Dee, it became clear that there could be significant benefit in re- evaluating the University's plans.

"In particular our new Masterplan gives the University a central point of arrival, makes the most of our wonderful Riverside setting, allows us to build a bridge at a future date to the land on the south of the river and gives us a compact academic facility with an end-to-end walking time of two minutes."

The new facilities, which will cost £148m, will complement the University's existing buildings at the east end of the campus in terms of their innovative design and style, while providing an outstanding educational experience for its students. The campus will retain its park-like ambience and develop a recreational environment for the benefit of staff, students and the local community.

Mike Berry said: "The Masterplan is currently out for Public Consultation pending planning approval. As part of this process we are keen to encourage as many local residents as possible to view the plans for themselves and raise any concerns that they may have."

The public consultation events will take place at RGU: SPORT on Tuesday 19 May and Wednesday 20 May from 11am to 1pm and 5.30pm to 7.30pm on both days.

(GK/JM)