Edge Hill University has unveiled plans for a further £35m development, significantly enhancing the student experience at its Ormskirk campus.
The largest element of the new plans is for 232 residential rooms, costing £23.6m and standing on the site of the former Back Halls. With campus life being so important at Edge Hill University, demand for on-site accommodation has continued to rise in recent years. Research into student preferences shows en suite rooms being the number one priority when choosing preferences, something which has been factored into the design of the new offer.
At the centre of the new development will be a brand-new £8.5m Students’ Union facility. Based on current students’ feedback, the new building will feature flexible spaces able to adapt to different day and night-time events, both inside and using the external space. There will be society rooms and open social spaces to suit students’ needs, as well as embedded technology to enable more interactive experiences. Retail, food and drink outlets and student support facilities will sit on the ground floor.
Featured within the development are plans to revitalise and get the most out of the public realm space too. There will be space for events like outdoor cinema or food markets, as well as external areas to meet and relax.
The plans form the second phase of the central campus development, with building work having begun last month on a new Life Sciences building costing more than £17m. The aim is for the second phase buildings to be fully operational by September 2024.
Edge Hill’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Steve Igoe said: “This is Edge Hill’s largest ever investment and is integral to supporting the future success and development of the University. At a time when universities nationally are choosing not to invest in student accommodation, we are bucking the trend by increasing our offering and meeting demand from the many students who want to live here. Together with the new Students’ Union, this will truly revitalise the central campus and further improve our students’ experience whether they are living on campus or commuting here each day.
“These developments are also a vital part of the University’s de-carbonisation strategy, replacing older buildings with the latest state-of-the-art infrastructure using cutting-edge sustainable materials and technologies.”
Ben Broadhurst, SU Education President and Student Governor, said “This state-of-the-art facility will be firmly at the heart of the University. The space will meet a diverse range of students’ needs and contain a set of procured food, drink, event and activity-based experiences. The space will be flexible, multi-purpose and technologically innovative ensuring it can be used all year round. Feedback from current students has been integral to developing the plans and will continue to be so, and everyone at the Students’ Union is hugely excited to see work begin on our new home.”