GLASGOW University has snapped up the last remaining part of the Western Infirmary site 
ahead of a planned expansion.

The university 
announced it had completed the transfer of ownership of the land, meaning it now owns the entire 14-acre hospital site.

As reported in the Evening Times, the purchase of the bulk of the site currently occupied by the Western in an area bounded by Dumbarton Road, Church Street and University Avenue was agreed with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in February.

The Western Infirmary will continue to operate until 2015 before services move to the new South Glasgow Hospital, at Govan.

Ann Allen, director of Estates and Buildings at the university of, said: "This is tremendous news and will allow us to maximize the redevelopment of the Western site.

"We will now press ahead with the engagement strategy to inform how we redevelop the site.

"We have been hugely encouraged by the amount of interest on what might emerge from our consultations to date.

"That process will now continue."

As well as engagement with local residents, discussions will take place with Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government and other key stakeholders.

The university's expansion plan will cost around £135 million, with at least £80m spent on new buildings and equipment and £55m on refurbishing facilities over the next five years.

For more on the plan visit www.gla.ac.uk/campusdevelopment

stef.lach@
eveningtimes.co.uk