New SNH headquarters are being built in Inverness

A survey was conducted by the body to minimise potential redundancies as it moves from Edinburgh to Inverness.

Results show that a number of non-Edinburgh employees would be happy to move to the new headquarters.

But Edinburgh-based staff would prefer to be redeployed to other SNH offices in Perth, Clydebank or Stirling.

The survey was carried out during October and November 2004 and 168 of 182 Edinburgh staff responded.

Of these, 23 said they intended to relocate, a further 11 thought it likely or possible that they would relocate, with 17 responding "don't know".

Staff limitations

For those unable to relocate, the survey has provided information on when staff wish to leave SNH, what support they would like to access and whether they would be prepared to be redeployed elsewhere in the public sector.

Counting those who have already relocated, it is thought that about 40 Edinburgh staff will ultimately move to Inverness. There are currently about 90 workers at the Highland site.

The decision to leave Edinburgh has caused controversy

SNH spokesman Calum Macfarlane said: "The more people that move from Edinburgh to Inverness the better in terms of business continuity and logistics, but obviously it is not always practical to do that, but there are ways around that.

"One thing that had come up is people from elsewhere moving to Inverness. If we can actually match these interests we could move people about.

"There will be limitations because of where people want to go but certainly there is an opportunity for us there."

Plans to relocate staff from the capital to Inverness were first unveiled in March 2003.

The decision to move became embroiled in controversy after staff said they had not been consulted.

The building of the new headquarters remains on schedule to be handed over to SNH on 1 March, 2006, with a view to staff moving in from 31 March next year.