Bath Spa University residential plans given go-ahead

October 18, 2012 Ecology, Education, Environmental Design, Landscape Architecture, Visualisation

With a leading role within the University Design team, supporting Hopkins Architects and IMA Transport Planning, we have provided Professional EIA, Landscape and Ecological advice to Bath Spa University on this project, and are now working towards the next stage of its evolution.

Bath Spa University, and Nicholas Pearson Associates, are celebrating the news that Bath and North East Somerset Council has granted planning permission for the development of new residential accommodation at its Newton Park campus. With a leading role within the University Design team, we have provided Professional EIA, Landscape and Ecological advice to Bath Spa University on this project, and are now working towards the next stage of its evolution.

This project is the second phase of the major redevelopment and expansion of facilities on the University’s campus at Newton Park, for which we are part of the Masterplan design team. The plans are for the development of nine new student halls of residence to provide 561 bedrooms together with single-story buildings to house an energy centre and Estates and Services facilities. The work will include demolition of existing, non-listed buildings, restoration of historic landscape elements, and re-development of car parking and the addition of a netball court in the walled garden at the top of the campus. Construction of a new academic building is already well underway and is due to be completed by spring 2014.

The Newton Park campus improvement project is the most important buildings development Bath Spa University has conducted in the last 20 years, and will provide considerably improved facilities for future generations of students. The superb new learning and residential facilities for students are an important element of the University’s desire to provide the best resources and an improved experience for future students.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christina Slade said: “This is excellent news for Bath Spa and we are delighted that our plans to improve facilities for our students in coming years can now be fully realised. The new residential development will ensure we can guarantee university accommodation to all eligible first year students. The impact on the local community was also an important consideration and by accommodating more students on campus, we will help reduce the pressure on housing in the city. This, together with our superb new academic building, will confirm Bath Spa as a leading university for creativity, culture and enterprise.

The planning approval was granted at a meeting of the Council’s Development Control Committee, and followed a lengthy process of stakeholder consultation and design development. The Committee voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.This project is the second phase of the major redevelopment and expansion of facilities on the University’s campus at Newton Park, for which we are part of the Masterplan design team. The plans are for the development of nine new student halls of residence to provide 561 bedrooms together with single-story buildings to house an energy centre and Estates and Services facilities. The work will include demolition of existing, non-listed buildings, restoration of historic landscape elements, and re-development of car parking and the addition of a netball court in the walled garden at the top of the campus. Construction of a new academic building is already well underway and is due to be completed by spring 2014.