AN overdue university campus is facing the prospect of further delays due to legal proceedings over the construction contract.
The Ulster University (UU) venture - the largest of its kind in the north - will not be ready until at least 2020.
Building work is continuing to transform the 'art college' campus on York Street, at the top of Royal Avenue in Belfast.
This will see most courses transfer from Jordanstown and student numbers in the city rise from 2,000 to 15,000.
Late 2018 was an agreed "key milestone" - the date on which work was expected to be complete. However, the university later took the decision to move students at the start of the 2019 academic year. No explanation for this delay was provided.
This has been pushed back further again with UU saying the first full teaching year will be autumn 2020.
The university dismissed previous claims of a five year delay as "absolute nonsense" - but the project is at least two years behind schedule.
In addition, the total estimated cost has increased from £250 million to £263m.
The first phase of construction at UU is already complete and open.
A joint venture between Lagan Construction Group and Portuguese firm Somague Group, was awarded a £150m contract - part of the initial overall £250m - for phase two.
It has now been confirmed that legal proceedings have been commenced by the university to resolve some aspects of the contract.
"Working with our contractor we continue to monitor progress of the innovative campus at regular stages and milestones," a spokeswoman said.
"On a capital project of this scale and complexity, it would be expected that challenges can arise. We work through those challenges and continue to progress towards the delivery of a visionary new campus in the heart of the city centre."
As legal proceedings are under way she said it would not be appropriate to comment further.
Lagan Construction and Somague Group said it was "unable to comment at this time".
