Prison conversion plans in £150m campus expansion

Eye-catching plans to convert the former Canterbury prison for student use have been submitted for planning permission.

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is embarking on a £150 million transformation of its campus, which promises an “extension of the historic city centre”.

A major part of the scheme involves an overhaul of the vacant HMP Canterbury – once home to notorious gangsters the Kray twins.

University bosses have this week submitted a planning application for conversion of the listed building into a “museum, food village and student services hub”.

Their application also involves bulldozing existing university buildings behind the prison to clear the way for a three-storey block to provide lecture halls and an underground car park.

It forms part of a wider masterplan to overhaul CCCU’S North Holmes campus and a further application is expected at a later date to construct a new arts building.

Architects’ impressions show a dramatically altered site featuring landmark buildings, a central square and a new student hub using elements of the listed prison structure.

CCCU’S masterplan also involves a new public thoroughfare running through the heart of the university, linking it with the cathedral.

Chris Harding of architects BDP has said: “By opening up the campus, we have been able to take advantage of the amazing views offered from St Martin’s Church to Canterbury Cathedral, taking in St Augustine’s Abbey and give the university a new public space at the heart of the campus.”

If granted, conversion of HMP Canterbury would see the building become a student hub complete with cafe and restaurant.

Documents lodged with the city council suggest historic A wing is to be preserved as a museum space, while B and C wings are to be bulldozed.

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, vice-chancellor of the university, told the Gazette earlier this year: “We have a long and proud history of adapting and innovating to meet the needs of our students, local communities and the wider society.”

CCCU’S masterplan can be viewed at www.canterbury.ac.uk/about-us/ master-planning-review/masterplanning-review.aspx. The planning application can be viewed on the city council’s planning portal using the reference CA//16/02081