Published: Tuesday, 9th February, 2010 1:08pm

Plans unveiled to demolish student digs

by Ally McGilvray

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PLANS have been unveiled to demolish the old halls of residence at Heriot-Watt University in Galashiels and build new state-of-the-art accommodation for 250 students.

Scottish Borders Council confirmed it received a proposal of an application notice (POAN) for the site in Nether Road last week.

It follows a multi-million pound make-over of the university last year.

And, this week, the Border Telegraph can confirm the £12million project will be built next to the current halls on the existing site, which overlooks the new Scottish Borders Campus, and includes the demolition of the university gym.

However, the old halls will not be demolished until the new halls are complete to minimise disruption.

A spokeswoman for the university said: "We have been looking to update the halls for some time to keep up to date with students expectations. This is part of the university estates strategy and also involves the redevelopment of our residential campus up in Edinburgh."

The university inherited the student residences, which were built back in the 1960s, from the former Scottish College of Textiles. However, if the plans are approved, it is anticipated work could start on the new halls as soon as the summer.

A public exhibition showcasing the plans is to be held in the Scottish Borders Campus on Tuesday, February 23, between 4pm and 8pm. Members of the design team will be on hand to answer questions and feedback forms will be available.

The university said plans had been lodged to open a new gym at Netherdale, which would be run by Borders Sport and Leisure Trust, to accommodate members of the gym at Heriot-Watt and "ensure students continued to have access to modern sports facilities".

For more on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Border Telegraph.