UWE Bristol has secured outline planning permission for its vision to build a university for the 21st Century. The masterplan aims to satisfy UWE’s changing needs over the next 25 years with a range of building proposals supported by the necessary infrastructure.
The proposals will transform the way the university works, providing a modern environment which will support students in their learning as well as providing services to employers and the community.
The plans will make the most of the adjoining land at the Frenchay Campus acquired by the university in 2008 from Hewlett Packard. The 70 acres nearly doubled the size of the campus and has provided the space for the much-needed expansion.
The masterplan, which has been subject to a public consultation process, covers projects spanning several years including: plans for a new Student’s Union Building, a new £50m business school, a central plaza and transport hub with landscaping and walkways at the heart of the campus, new student accommodation, refurbishing academic teaching and learning spaces, the proposed stadium, upgrades to existing faculty buildings, a central academic zone including the library and other resources, and consolidation of other faculties onto the Frenchay Campus.
The campus development will be a strong boost for inward investment for the region with the additional provision in the masterplan for conference accommodation shared by the university and Bristol Rover’s planned new stadium. This builds on the university’s successful exhibition and conference centre. Other investment proposals include food and drink outlets for students and the local community. Full details of the masterplan can be seen here
Jeremy Wheatcroft, has been coordinating the planning from UWE Bristol, said: “We have received unanimous outline approval for the masterplan. The planning committee at South Gloucestershire thanked UWE Bristol for help and cooperation in developing the plans and working well with them.”
Vice-Chancellor professor Steve West added: “This is an important milestone for the University in bringing forward our vision to enhance the learning environment that students of the 21st century deserve.
“We now have a golden opportunity to develop our university in a way that will bring huge benefits to current and future students, staff and the local community with a green, pleasant, healthy and sustainable campus. UWE is a vibrant, forward looking and modern University, and the development of these plans will attract students, connect to our community and enable us to compete effectively with other national and international education organisations.”
It is anticipated that the building project for the new Student’s Union building will begin in the summer of this year.
