Planning success for Barnes Halls/ Hawthorns redevelopment
Keele University has been given the go ahead for an exciting new development of additional student residences on campus, which is the next step of the University's continued regeneration.
A new planning application for student accommodation at Barnes and the re-development of the Hawthorns site has been successful, subject to the usual Section 106 Agreement, which has already been largely agreed as part of the planning process and will outline the various planning conditions associated with the developments.
With students numbers expected to increase, Keele is investing in its campus accommodation with two new high quality, sustainable halls of residence.
In response to student demand, the state-of-the-art development, close to the centre of campus, will feature en-suite rooms with study zones and clustered bedrooms so that kitchen and lounge spaces are shared by 6 - 8 students. An ancillary laundry and dedicated halls management centre, located within the building reception area, are also proposed.
The Barnes Hall of Residence will include large open plan social spaces comprising fully fitted kitchens, dining and lounge areas. Each lounge benefits from a double width / double height window offering excellent views of the campus.
Phil Butters, Director of Estates and Development, said: “Keele University is a world class university and we aim to provide world class facilities for our students. The new development in Barnes Hall of Residence will provide 453 bedrooms, which will further enhance the student experience. We are pleased that our planning appeal for the redevelopment at Hawthorns has been successful. To sustain our continued growth and success in a global market, we need to constantly update our facilities. If we want to maintain and improve our international standing we need to continue to invest in our infrastructure as we provide the facilities and services expected of a leading international campus-based university.
“We will continue to work proactively with the local community and our students as we move forward with this, the next stage in our development.”
Keele has some 3,000 student study bedrooms, the majority of which have been recently refurbished. The development of 453 new bedrooms in Barnes can start before the summer, with completion in the autumn 2017.
For more information see:
http://www.keele.ac.uk/barnesdevelopment/