£200m plan to ‘transform’ region

The Crichton Trust this week unveiled what it describes as an ‘unprecedented’ investment initiative, with the package made by investor and developer Jansons Property who work in partnership with the William Pears Group.
Plans include a purpose-built campus for the University of the West of Scotland, a museum, and student residences.
The initiative is also set to see two new grandstands built at Palmerston Park, along with a business park at Queen of the South FC’s home grounds in Dumfries.
Crichton Trust chief executive officer Rob Shaw said: “We are delighted and proud to announce the most compelling and tangible investment opportunity that Dumfries and Galloway region has had in living memory.
“We will deliver truly transformational investment and development in conjunction with Jansons Property and the William Pears Group and know we will be working with a partner who has a long-standing ethos of committing to projects that deliver public benefit.
“It is a very exciting day for Scotland and the Dumfries and Galloway region which will provide substantial benefit to the local community and creative sustainable well paid jobs at all levels.”
The investment is intended to deliver a range of projects with public and community benefit, also including a research and innovation centre for Dumfries, a museum, student residences, a home for the National Centre for Resilience and a ‘Let’s Get Sporty’ facility on the Crichton Estate.
Jansons Property managing director Andy Jansons said: “We are pleased to be working with the Crichton Trust in taking forward this exciting development, and we will bring together the funding and expertise to deliver appropriate projects for the Crichton and the community of Dumfries and Galloway.”
Jansons Property say they are committed to their initial investment and have signalled that further funds will be available to should further opportunities emerge.