Exciting images of what Scotland’s first ‘super-campus’ will look like have been revealed.
The Dunfermline Learning Campus, expected to cost £180 million, will bring together new St Columba’s RC and Woodmill high schools with a new Fife College campus.
Education bosses say the development will create unparalleled opportunities for young people in the region.
Detailed planning applications have now been submitted to Fife Council planners to examine after the masterplan was approved in May.
AHR Architects, on behalf of Fife Council, says the campus is a “visionary project” that will offer “significant educational, social and economic advantages”.
Illustrations of the learning centre show that it incorporates indoor and outdoor learning areas. According to Fife College, the design “will reflect a contemporary style, encouraging easy flow around the building”.
The “state-of-the-art” campus, due to open in Summer 2024, is set to boast “flexible and
digitally-enabled learning spaces throughout”.
It will feature industry-standard workshops for engineering and construction and a university hub so learners can study to degree level.
Designed to be both “learner-centred and business-friendly”, the centre will include a business engagement hub and an innovation and events hub to cater for different college and community events.
Additionally, the campus will be fully equipped with brand new outdoor facilities, including a multi-use sports area, spaces for childcare courses and external dining areas for the hospitality students.
The collaborative venture, which will cover over 20,000 square-meters, will be designed to expand in the future if demand requires it. Initially, it will be home to 4,500 staff and learners a day.
Hugh Hall, the principal of Fife College, said the new campus would be “transformational for education in Scotland”.
He added: “From senior school to further and higher education, and the provision of courses to meet the needs of business, we want to offer the stepping stones needed to allow students to achieve their personal and professional goals,” he said in a statement included with the college plans.
“We are determined to offer all learners, and the wider community, a fantastic learning environment in which to thrive.”
Fife Council planners are currently considering the planning application and will issue recommendations in due course.
Due to the size of the project, plans will need to be reviewed by Fife Council’s central and west planning committee.
After a decision has been reached by the committee, construction of the ‘super’ campus may finally begin.