£600m University of Liverpool masterplan unveiled
And the blueprint, exclusively revealed in the Daily Post, has been hailed by city leaders as cementing Liverpool as a magnet for students across the world and ensuring the millions they bring to the region continues.
The university said its investment between now and 2016 into campuses and teaching facilities will be met through “existing and future resources”, adding its investment will also give it an edge in a “very competitive market place”.
Today, we can reveal the masterplan includes a £350m injection upgrading its academic facilities in both the city centre and Leahurst Campus, on the Wirral, which houses its equine hospital and centre.
The equine centre makeover will include improving the vet school’s teaching facilities and extending its equine care.
The university is also planning to invest £32m in teaching facilities at the faculty of humanities and social sciences based at its south campus near Abercromby Square, in Liverpool city centre.
A £9m refurbishment of its Guild of Students building nearby is also in the pipeline, with the university wanting its performance facilities to attract the best bands, as well as upgrading its bars and facilities.
There is also set to be a £4m investment in sports facilities at its central campus, off Brownlow Hill, which will include a new modern swimming pool, refurbished changing facilities and an ultra-modern fitness suite.
A further £7.5m will be ploughed into an extension to the management school, in Chatham Street. This will include improved teaching facilities to benefit business school students.
But a major part of the investment will include £250m being pumped into improving student accommodation.
This includes a £135m “self-contained student village” at its Greenbank site, at Mossley Hill, which, as early as 2013-14, would provide 1,600 new beds and catering and sports facilities.
As well as refurbishing existing accommodation, the university will develop new residences.
New residences being developed include the sites at Mulberry Court and Alsop, on Brownlow Hill, providing the highest quality accommodation and further increasing the number of student rooms available on-campus.
The total would rise from 1,000 to 2,700 beds.
And, as we have previously revealed, university work is well under way for a £44m “eco-residences” Vine Court campus.
Based on the corner of Chatham Street and Myrtle Street, it is due to open next year. The 710-bedroom development will feature shops and a 250-seat restaurant, and its cutting-edge green features will include the ability to collect rainwater for toilet flushing and heating via solar power.
Confirming the investment, Steve Dickson, director of facilities management at the university, said the move would enhance both student experience and research excellence.
He said: “Applications for our accommodation have doubled this year, and it’s important that we make this significant investment in order to meet student demand in the future.
“The student population is very important to the city – students contribute around £300m to Liverpool’s economy every year.”
The development announcement comes as students enrolling at Liverpool in 2012 face paying the maximum £9,000 fees.
But Mr Dickson pledged the university would continue to plough money it generated back into facilities and improving resources, and added: “We want to continue to be a world-class institution.
“Liverpool is a major university city, but we should not sit on our laurels. Students will become increasingly discerning and we have chosen to make this investment as we want students to chouse Liverpool.”
Other schemes under way include the first £25m phase of the university’s proposed £70m scientific research facility at its north campus in Crown Street, due to be completed in October.
Also due for completion later this year is a £25m teaching laboratory centre bringing all its physical sciences under one roof at its central campus, off Brownlow Hill.
Last night, leader of Liverpool Council, Cllr Joe Anderson, said the plans would help cement Liverpool’s global standing.
He said: “The University of Liverpool wants to punch its weight as one of the country’s leading universities and one of the finest research centres in the world.
“This investment will go a long way to helping it do just that.
“We have a lot to offer in Liverpool, and our city is perfectly placed to attract students from all over the world.
“We have a world-famous waterfront, one of Europe’s best shopping districts in Liverpool One, and a culture and nightlife to rival any city in the world. These proposals will also provide jobs and employment opportunities for local people.”
The plans will be subject to consultation and still need planning approval.
The University of Liverpool today unveils a £600m investment masterplan to keep it as a “world- class” education facility.
And the blueprint, exclusively revealed in the Daily Post, has been hailed by city leaders as cementing Liverpool as a magnet for students across the world and ensuring the millions they bring to the region continues.
The university said its investment between now and 2016 into campuses and teaching facilities will be met through “existing and future resources”, adding its investment will also give it an edge in a “very competitive market place”.
Today, we can reveal the masterplan includes a £350m injection upgrading its academic facilities in both the city centre and Leahurst Campus, on the Wirral, which houses its equine hospital and centre.
The equine centre makeover will include improving the vet school’s teaching facilities and extending its equine care.
The university is also planning to invest £32m in teaching facilities at the faculty of humanities and social sciences based at its south campus near Abercromby Square, in Liverpool city centre.
A £9m refurbishment of its Guild of Students building nearby is also in the pipeline, with the university wanting its performance facilities to attract the best bands, as well as upgrading its bars and facilities.
There is also set to be a £4m investment in sports facilities at its central campus, off Brownlow Hill, which will include a new modern swimming pool, refurbished changing facilities and an ultra-modern fitness suite.
A further £7.5m will be ploughed into an extension to the management school, in Chatham Street. This will include improved teaching facilities to benefit business school students.
But a major part of the investment will include £250m being pumped into improving student accommodation.
This includes a £135m “self-contained student village” at its Greenbank site, at Mossley Hill, which, as early as 2013-14, would provide 1,600 new beds and catering and sports facilities.
As well as refurbishing existing accommodation, the university will develop new residences.
New residences being developed include the sites at Mulberry Court and Alsop, on Brownlow Hill, providing the highest quality accommodation and further increasing the number of student rooms available on-campus.
The total would rise from 1,000 to 2,700 beds.
And, as we have previously revealed, university work is well under way for a £44m “eco-residences” Vine Court campus.
Based on the corner of Chatham Street and Myrtle Street, it is due to open next year. The 710-bedroom development will feature shops and a 250-seat restaurant, and its cutting-edge green features will include the ability to collect rainwater for toilet flushing and heating via solar power.
Confirming the investment, Steve Dickson, director of facilities management at the university, said the move would enhance both student experience and research excellence.
He said: “Applications for our accommodation have doubled this year, and it’s important that we make this significant investment in order to meet student demand in the future.
“The student population is very important to the city – students contribute around £300m to Liverpool’s economy every year.”
The development announcement comes as students enrolling at Liverpool in 2012 face paying the maximum £9,000 fees.
But Mr Dickson pledged the university would continue to plough money it generated back into facilities and improving resources, and added: “We want to continue to be a world-class institution.
“Liverpool is a major university city, but we should not sit on our laurels. Students will become increasingly discerning and we have chosen to make this investment as we want students to chouse Liverpool.”
Other schemes under way include the first £25m phase of the university’s proposed £70m scientific research facility at its north campus in Crown Street, due to be completed in October.
Also due for completion later this year is a £25m teaching laboratory centre bringing all its physical sciences under one roof at its central campus, off Brownlow Hill.
Last night, leader of Liverpool Council, Cllr Joe Anderson, said the plans would help cement Liverpool’s global standing.
He said:
“The University of Liverpool wants to punch its weight as one of the country’s leading universities and one of the finest research centres in the world.
“This investment will go a long way to helping it do just that.
“We have a lot to offer in Liverpool, and our city is perfectly placed to attract students from all over the world.
“We have a world-famous waterfront, one of Europe’s best shopping districts in Liverpool One, and a culture and nightlife to rival any city in the world. These proposals will also provide jobs and employment opportunities for local people.”
The plans will be subject to consultation and still need planning approval.
For more news from the Liverpool Daily Post, click here.
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