University of Liverpool submits planning application to redevelop five buildings to provide new accommodation amid projected arrival of 3,000 extra students by 2031. Tony McDonough reports
Up to 3,000 extra students are expected to be studying at the University of Liverpool (UoL) by 2031 and plans have been revealed to create more accommodation.
A new planning application has been submitted by (UoL) that will see a mostly empty cluster of student halls redeveloped to provide 238 new bed spaces across five blocks.
Previously earmarked for sale, Chestnut and Vine House (two buildings linked by walkways, Walnut House, Cypress House, and Porter Lodge – are collectively known as Mulberry Court.
They comprise more than 60,000 sq ft and will be repurposed under the plans as the university looks to meet a surge in demand.
UoL is particularly keen to provide more affordable accommodation for overseas postgraduate students from Africa and South Asia. This scheme would include 35 studios and 49 cluster flats.
Located on the corner of Mount Pleasant and Oxford Street, adjacent to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the blocks were built in the 1970s and range in height from four to six storeys. UoL is partnering with student accommodation specialist Kexgill on the scheme.
A planning submission written by Maze Planning Solutions on behalf of the university says: “The refurbishment and reuse proposals are comprehensive and designed to make a significant contribution to the university stock of postgraduate accommodation.
“The University of Liverpool has about 4,300 directly managed bed spaces which fall short of demand. By 2031 student numbers are forecast to increase by around 3,000.
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“Ensuring access to quality affordable accommodation is key to supporting the universities master plan and vision for accessible higher education into the future.
“The university has partnered with Kexgill to enable the refurbishment of existing buildings at Mulberry Court creating high-quality accommodation that can be offered at right below current market levels addressing widely recognised affordability pressures.”
Kexgill is an established student accommodation provider operating from UK locations and a site in Germany.