Six new student blocks for city (From This is Hampshire)

Six new student blocks for Winchester

9:39am Thursday 21st April 2011 in News By Andrew Napier, Winchester Chief Reporter

SIX new halls of residence to accommodate 500 students have been given the go-ahead.

The University of Winchester has been granted planning permission for the new housing blocks behind the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH).

The approval comes just a day after it was announced the university wants to charge new students £8,500 – virtually the maximum possible – when tuition fees are raised from 2012.

As reported, the prospect of fees being virtually trebled has raised fears student numbers could plummet over the next decade as young people are put off higher education.

But the university insisted the new housing blocks, on Burma Road, are needed to help ease problems of clashes between students and locals in the Stanmore area of the city.

Housing 499 undergraduates near the King Alfred campus, it will bring the total number of students living in the area to more than 1,000.

A café and a gym will also be built.

Developers Accede Limited said removing old buildings will benefit the area.

University deputy vice-chancellor Tommy Geddes said: “This development will transform a sad collection of near derelict buildings into a fine example of what quality architecture can achieve.

“It is truly a win-win situation.”

The new housing will provide for students from both the university and Sparsholt College, and could also be used by student nurses at the RHCH.

Members of Winchester City Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the scheme.

Cllr Therese Evans said: “I think it is a fantastic addition to the university campus and a well-thought out scheme.

“This will solve some of the problems we have experienced in Stanmore with accommodation.”

Cllr Barry Lipscomb added: “I think it’s going to do a lot for this immediate area, a lot of which has been crying out for redevelopment.

“It will do a lot for the university and it helps the hospital as well.”