Student homes plan for old Odeon cinema site – Nottingham
The site of Nottingham’s former Odeon cinema could become student housing.
Developer Robert Monk plans to build a £32m scheme for post-graduate students to live in …
Developer appeals refusal for RHUL student flats in Egham
The developers proposing 129 new student bedrooms on a site on Egham Hill are appealing the decision to turn down the application by Runnymede Council’s planning committee.
The plans for 61 and 71 Egham Hill, comprised 25 cluster flats and 10 studio flats along with management offices, cycle store and car parking. The application was originally turned down by the planning committee in September last year (2010), citing concerns over traffic access and appearance …
Quill Receives Approval from London’s Southwark Council
The 109 meter high Quill Tower is designed to accommodate 500 students of King’s College London.
Designed by Spparc Architecture and located in Southwark near the Shard Tower, the Quill features two parts that features 470 rooms, a library, gym, café and student bar. Additionally, the design called for sustainable and green features with a target of a BREEAM Excellent rating …
Universities could save £3bn by outsourcing, says thinktank
Universities could save nearly £3bn a year if they shed their “outdated ways” and privatised many of their services, a right-of-centre thinktank claims today.
A report by Policy Exchange argues that if universities outsourced much of what they offer – such as the running of their student residences, their campus catering and the maintenance of their buildings – they could save 30% from the £9bn they spend on goods and services each year.
This would leave them with more teaching and research funds, the thinktank said. Its report, Higher Education in the Age of Austerity, accuses university managers of failing to “embrace the private sector” and “not being imaginative enough” …
Student high-rise developers set to be given extended deadline – Hull
Developers could get a three-year extension for plans for controversial nine-storey student accommodation on the banks of the River Hull – despite concerns that demand has fallen.
Conservationists were among the original objectors to the building at Anderson Wharf, close to the Grade I listed Charterhouse building.
Planning permission was granted two years ago, but since then there has been no development on the site, which is now used as a car park …
Residents’ joy as Colchester student flats rejected
A controversial application to build more student flats on a Colchester estate has been rejected after an appeal.
Developer Mansion House asked to build an additional 38 flats at Avon Way House, in Greenstead, Colchester, but the application was refused by Colchester Council’s planning committee earlier this year.
It has now been thrown out by a planning inspector after Mansion House appealed …
Landmark city centre building to be 75 student flats – Plymouth
Students could soon be living alongside one of Plymouth’s busiest roundabouts.
Plans have been submitted to Plymouth City Council to convert a landmark city centre building into 75 student rooms.
The Royal Insurance building at Plymouth’s St Andrews Cross is now used for restaurants, with the offices on the upper floors vacant …
Berkeley’s big plans at Aldgate – London
Housebuilder Berkeley Group Holdings wants to breathe new life into London’s Aldgate after spending more than £80m acquiring the seven-acre Goodman’s Field site.
Berkeley has bought the site, the largest in the City or its fringe to change hands for years, from receiver BNP Paribas Real Estate. It has planning consent for 784 homes, 600 student accommodation units, a 300-bedroom hotel and 120,000 sq ft of commercial space.
The site is key to Tower Hamlets Council’s regeneration plans and work will begin early next year. Berkeley chairman Tony Pidgley said: ‘We want to regenerate the area.’ …
Merger to create ‘super-university’ in West Wales
In what could be the model for further mergers in the Welsh higher education sector, Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Wales Trinity St David will become one body while continuing their existing brands.
The governing bodies of both existing universities have agreed to the merger in principle, and details will be worked out in the coming months.
A joint statement from the two universities said: “The vision is to establish a regional educational group comprising the two universities and FE colleges in South-West Wales to create a dual sector group structure providing meaningful educational pathways, enhancing student choice and developing joint educational provision which responds to the needs of employers …
New student halls in the Cowgate’s Wellgate House – Edinburgh
An empty eight-storey former office block in the Cowgate is to be transformed into new student halls.
Wellgate House is getting a £2 million revamp and if work goes to schedule will be ready before the start of the new summer term in September 2011.
Before students move in, the new owners aim to open by June to capitalise on the building’s prime location – at the bottom of Blair Street – for Edinburgh Festival letting …