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Nature agency to unveil new home Agency's new green base unveiled
(about 5 hours later)
The new headquarters of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is to be opened by First Minister Jack McConnell. The environmental merits of the new headquarters of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have been praised by First Minister Jack McConnell.
The move north to Great Glen House in Inverness was forced on the agency by the Scottish Executive, despite opposition from unions and MSPs. The agency's move from Edinburgh to Inverness is key to the Scottish Executive's policy on moving civil service jobs out of the capital.
Last week, spending watchdog Audit Scotland said ministers had failed to make the case for spreading government jobs about the country. However, the policy has been criticised by trade unions and MSPs.
Mr McConnell officially opened Great Glen House, which also serves as a base for the Deer Commission for Scotland.
He said the building met the highest standards in environmentally-friendly design.
It sets new environmental standards for buildings across the UK at a time when we face the growing threat of climate change Jack McConnellFirst Minister
Great Glen House was built with low energy consumption a priority.
It uses natural ventilation, meaning it does not require air conditioning, and building materials came from environmentally-friendly sources.
Mr McConnell said: "I am impressed by the environmental credentials of Great Glen House.
"It sets new environmental standards for buildings across the UK at a time when we face the growing threat of climate change."
SNH chairman Andrew Thin admitted the relocation to Inverness had been "challenging and complex".
He added: "A great many people, within SNH and among partners and contractors, deserve a huge amount of credit for this.
"We are in a time of important change for SNH.
"I believe the move is having, and will continue to have, something of a rejuvenating effect on the organisation, helping to focus us even more on the contribution we make to improving the lives of Scotland's people."
Mr McConnell was given a tour of the building - which is the base for 250 SNH and Deer Commission staff - by SNH chief executive Ian Jardine.
He also met children and teachers from four nearby schools who had made artwork on an environmental theme.
The official opening comes a week after spending watchdog Audit Scotland said ministers had failed to make the case for spreading government jobs about the country.
Jobs 'welcomed'
SNH moved from its base in Edinburgh at a cost of more than £21m.SNH moved from its base in Edinburgh at a cost of more than £21m.
Great Glen House is also the base for the Deer Commission for Scotland.
The executive told SNH to make the move up the A9 in March 2003, as part of its policy of dispersing civil service jobs throughout the country.The executive told SNH to make the move up the A9 in March 2003, as part of its policy of dispersing civil service jobs throughout the country.
Jobs 'welcomed'
The new £15m headquarters has been built on the site of a former nurses' home in the Westercraigs area.The new £15m headquarters has been built on the site of a former nurses' home in the Westercraigs area.
Audit Scotland claimed the costs of relocations such as SNH's had varied significantly and the executive had failed to measure the policy effectively. Trade unions seized on the Audit Scotland report and urged an immediate end to the practice.
Trades unions seized on the report and urged an immediate end to the practice.
However, the executive insisted the jobs had been welcomed in areas of Scotland that needed employment.However, the executive insisted the jobs had been welcomed in areas of Scotland that needed employment.