University reveals new accommodation plans

ANEW accommodation block housing more than 250 students will be built at Edge Hill University, under newly released plans.

The facility would be built on the existing running track and sports pitch and will also house a new library.

Although the sports facilities are no longer used, it is likely that a consultation with Sport England will be required to allow their removal.

The university has a shortage of accommodation for second and third year students, with many living off site in private housing, usually in Liverpool.

Under plans submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council, the new building will allow the university to correct the shortfall for those who wish to live on campus.

University bosses decided to allocate places to all first year students who wish to study on campus from the start of the current academic year.

In each of the previous three academic years, the university has had an accommodation shortfall of 15% compared with the number of applicants for residential housing.

Edge Hill states in the planning application that providing sufficient, high quality accommodation is a key part of the criteria which have gained it national recognition on several occasions in recent years.

University bosses have also said that by building the accommodation on campus, more housing will be available in Ormskirk for non-students.

Dr John Cater, vice-chancellor at the university, said: “Over the past few years the university has pro-actively sought to address pressures on accommodation in the Ormskirk area by constructing residential accommodation on campus.

“This application is an extension of this policy, with proposals to build on-site accommodation for second and third year and postgraduate students in townhouses, thereby releasing further housing in the town for family occupancy.”

The application also states that a new library is needed, as the current one built in the 1980s is outdated, often overcrowded and seen as a weakness in the university’s offering.

The application says: “The current library (Learning Resource Centre) dates from the 1980s and is outdated, significantly under-sized and no longer suited to the university’s up-to-date and future needs.

“The library is unable to effectively accommodate and provide high-quality access to the whole of the Edge Hill book collection, archive and electronic media.

“It provides an insufficient number of student learning spaces and study desks suited to modern learning and research, insufficient individual study rooms and quiet and silent study areas, and it also lacks attractive, inviting and usable social space and student facilities such as self-service desks, information points and print and copy resource stations.

“Many universities have invested heavily in new library and engaging and interactive learning resource facilities in recent years, and the lack of a high-quality contemporary library at Edge Hill is a noticeable weakness in its campus offer and student experience

“The much-needed library will be a key addition to the campus facilities.

“Its detailed design is ongoing and has considered leading award winning precedents including the Brynmor Jones Library at the University of Hull and the acclaimed Laidlaw Library at the University of Leeds, and an application for the approval of reserved matters is expected to be submitted in early 2017”

A decision on whether to approve the plans will be made by the council.