CONTROVERSIAL proposals by a Scottish university to move campus to a motorway business park have been delayed.

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has called for more information before deciding whether to close its Hamilton campus, in Lanarkshire, and move to a site on the M8 east of Glasgow.

UWS drew up the plans after £25 million of public funding for a £53m refurbishment was rejected by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) last year.

However, correspondence from the time shows the SFC were strongly in favour of supporting the redevelopment at a future date - even though they could not commit funds immediately.

Following a meeting of the UWS ruling Court to discuss the plans Professor Paul Martin, depute principal, said: "The Court is determined to find a solution that offers the best possible educational experience for our students, as well as the optimum teaching, research and enterprise facilities for staff.

"Given the importance of the decision, and recent emerging detail, the Court has determined that extra information is required in order to make a fully informed selection.

"The university will continue to engage with our students, staff, stakeholders and other organisations throughout this process with a view to reaching a decision that delivers the best-possible solution."

Monica Lennon, a Labour councillor for Hamilton who has campaigned against the move, welcomed the delay.

She said: "After calling for a delay on behalf of everyone campaigning to keep UWS in Hamilton, I'm relieved the decision has been deferred.

"Education Secretary Angela Constance can't stand back and do nothing and I hope she will now engage with us and listen to students' concerns.

"The Hamilton campus is highly connected to public transport hubs and community infrastructure and if there is political will, it can have a long term future."

The UWS proposal to close its Hamilton base and re-open it on a motorway business park is one of three options being considered.

The other options include a smaller redevelopment on the current site or a new building on a technology park on the outskirts of Hamilton.

However, the most controversial move would be a relocation to the Maxim Park site next to the Eurocentral business park 12 miles east of Glasgow on the M8.