Glasgow University has taken possession of the former Western Infirmary site paving the way for its £1 billion expansion of the Gilmorehill site over the next decade.

It is anticipated that 2,500 jobs will be created during the construction period. Work to appoint a construction delivery partner is already underway with a winner due to be selected by early next year.

The planned campus project is one of the biggest education developments in Scotland – higher than the public investment in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “I know that the University of Glasgow has been engaging strongly with local community groups and businesses in this part of the city and I hope to see a mutually beneficial relationship grow between ‘town and gown’ as this project develops.”

The masterplan for the former Western Infirmary site, which covers 14 acres, includes:

• The creation of a Research and Innovation Hub housing large-scale, inter-disciplinary projects and incubator space for spin-out collaborations with industry, which should support economic development in the West End;

• Public routes and a new central square which will link Byres Road to the up-and-coming cultural quarter for the West End, with new links to Kelvingrove and the newly-refurbished Kelvin Hall. These link will be reinforced by a new-build for the College of Arts;

• New buildings for social sciences, the Institute of Health and Well-being, and the School of Science and Engineering;

• Commercial opportunities, including a hotel, restaurant, bars and cafes which will also ensure that the five listed buildings on the site have a new and valuable use.