Queen Margaret University’s new £105 million Craighall campus in Musselburgh, East Lothian has faced setbacks and delays, leaving the university students' union temporarily without premises.

The building, which is also set to house sports facilities and the university drama department, will possibly not be completed until after the Christmas break.

Student representatives James Wilkinson and John Baxter have started a petition on the union website demanding the building is completed and made available to students before the end of the Autumn term. A group in support of the campaign has also been created on the popular social networking website Facebook.

John Baxter, Student Union Vice President said: “There is a massive chance that the Students' Union at QM may not be ready until after Christmas!

"This is totally unacceptable and by joining this group you will be showing your support for your S.U. who are campaigning to get the building finished ASAP!"

The building is part of the 35-acre purpose-built campus, which includes both educational facilities and student accommodation comprising more than 800 rooms.

The state-of-the-art facility has been lauded as the country’s “greenest” university campus, and includes a biomass heating system run using woodchips, allowing the campus to generate 60 per cent of its energy from a renewable source. There are also a limited number of parking spaces, while extra trains and buses have been put on to serve students and staff.

A deal between the university and letting agents Grant Management will also see an internet café featuring an electronic bus time system to be installed at the new site.

Queen Margaret University – formerly Queen Margaret University College – is Scotland’s newest university, having achieved full status in January this year.

The re-location to the new Musselburgh campus from the current three sites in Corstorphine, Leith and Elm Row has almost been completed after six years of planning and work. Most staff were moved to the new campus in September this year, though the student union building remains incomplete.

Representatives of Queen Margaret University were not available for comment.