Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: major capital projects progress update - December 2023

Sector: Further Education

Project: Dunfermline Learning Campus (College element)

Business case approved stages: New build college campus in Dunfermline, Fife. Following Scottish Government approval to award the contract in December 2022, the cost of the project is estimated at £131 million with project completion estimated for December 2024 and an operational start date of spring 2025.

Progress at March 2023: No change to timing since last report

Following the Decision Point 4 (DP4) - Preconstruction Report, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) made a recommendation to the Scottish Government for Fife College to enter into a contract to complete the project and the Scottish Government approved this. Construction commenced in January 2023, which was later than previously reported and was due to protracted contract price negotiations with the main contractor. Project completion however is still estimated for December 2024 with an operational start date of spring 2025 to allow for fit-out and transition.

The cost of the project is now estimated at £131 million. This is an increase in what was previously reported and is due to construction cost inflation and the cost to deliver net zero building standards.

Progress at December 2023: No change to cost or timing of the overall project since the last report.

Planned completion of the construction stage is now January 2025 which is later than previously reported. This is due to recent adverse weather which caused some slippage. Completion of the full project however continues to be on target for April 2025 with the campus being fully operational for the start of 2025-26 academic year.

Contact for public enquiries: email: ameldrum@sfc.ac.uk