Plans to create a world-leading centre for veterinary education and research at the University of Surrey have been given the green light by Guildford Borough Council.

The new School of Veterinary Medicine, one of only eight in the UK, embraces the 'One Health – One Medicine' philosophy to foster interdisciplinary collaborations in research and health care for humans and animals.

The University's ambitious plans for the School will see the construction of three innovative new buildings on its Manor Park campus.

The buildings, designed by leading architects firm Devereux Architects, make the most of natural light and heat.

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The main academic building will include a flagship small animal Clinical Skills Centre at its heart, featuring a haptics laboratory with animal simulators and a personal skills training centre with a mock veterinary surgery. It will also include offices, teaching spaces, lecture theatres, research laboratories and a café.

The veterinary pathology building will include pathology laboratories associated with teaching and research into animal health.

The large animal Clinical Skills Centre will include an animal examination area, a haptics teaching area which allows students to learn about animal anatomy via animal simulators, and livestock holding and handling areas.

As well as providing undergraduate and postgraduate students with an outstanding learning environment, the buildings will act as unique training resource for the whole veterinary community, giving access to lifelong learning opportunities for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, clinical scientists and other para-professionals.

Work on the site will begin early next year, with the buildings scheduled for completion in autumn 2015.

(CD/IT)