- About postgraduate study
- Part-time study
- Courses
- Faculties
- UK students
- EU students
- International Students
- How to apply for your course
- Handy Hints
- Open Events
- Student Recruitment
- Money Matters
- About Us
12 Jan 2009 11:27:11
Plans to transform the Luton campus of the University of Bedfordshire were given the go-ahead following last week’s meeting of Luton Borough Council’s Development Control Committee.
This now means that work can begin on the £70m project that will see a new state-of-the-art student centre being built next to St Mary’s church and new student accommodation along Vicarage Street and Manor Road.
Following the hearing, the University’s Director of Facilities and Estates, Graham Blake, said:
“This is wonderful news for the University and for Luton. It’s a much-needed boost for the local community and will transform this part of the town centre.”
The new student centre will bring all student services under one roof and will also be home to the Students’ Union. The new en-suite halls of residence will offer 850 study bedrooms within modern, self-catering flats. Demolition and preparation works are already underway and the new buildings will be ready for use by Academic Year 2010-11.
The team behind the project were announced in November. Cambridge-based architects RMJM and project managers Davis Langdon will lead on the design and management of the new student centre. Marriott Construction has been appointed to carry out the building work and Liberty Living has teamed up with the University to build and operate the new halls of residence.
The Luton redevelopment project follows a £34m investment at the University’s Bedford campus which now boasts a £20m en-suite Halls of Residence, an £8m state-of-the-art Physical Education and Sport Science Centre and a new Campus Centre which houses a £4.5million theatre, a studio, conference rooms, a gallery space and a fair trade restaurant.
Graham continued: “We’ve worked incredibly hard to reach this stage, consulting with staff and students along the way to establish their needs and requirements.
“Our aim is to create a community feel on our campus and we believe this will be achieved with these new developments.”
Neighbouring businesses are being invited to an open evening at Park Square on 15 January from 6.30pm where photos of the plans will be on display. To attend e-mail gill.parrella@beds.ac.uk.
For further details about the University’s investment programmes visit www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/facts/investment
Latest news» 2009» January» Go ahead for multi-million pound redevelopment
