Latest news from Loughborough University
| 28 June 2005 | PR 05/64 |
Continued progress on University Strategic Review
Continued progress is being made on its extensive Strategic Review, Loughborough University announces today (Wednesday 29 June).
The Strategic Review, which commenced last year, is considering the University’s aspirations for the next 10-20 years. During the first phase of work, the views of staff and students were sought. The main findings of the work to date are that:
- The University must continue to develop its strengths and position
as an international research-intensive University
- Research Schools and a University Graduate School should be created.
- It is confirmed that there will be no significant growth in UK undergraduates. The growth in population will come from increased numbers of international and post-graduate students.
The University is now embarking on the second phase of work - to consult with the wider community in which the University exists. An initial meeting was held with key residents groups on Monday (June 27) and further meetings are planned.
At Monday’s meeting the University outlined the main findings of the Strategic Review and the Estate Strategy Review. The Estate Strategy Review has been taking place as part of the overall Strategic Review and has been investigating how best the University’s current landholding could meet the future demands for accommodation, including academic floor space, business partnerships, student residences and sport.
The main finding of Estates Strategy Review is that:
- The University’s likely additional floor space and land requirements can be met on campus, including the land at Holywell Park, with the exception of sports pitches.
The next step for the University is the creation of a masterplan for the campus. Early thinking on the masterplan has already taken place and some outline aspirations for the campus have been suggested. These are:
- Phased re-development of parts of the University
- Concentrate activity in centres
- East Park –redevelopment (proposals already approved)
- Central Park - medium to longer term - higher density teaching and research accommodation
- Village Park - focus for student accommodation and some teaching space
- West Park - focus for research/knowledge transfer/business collaborations (development of land at Holywell Park)
- Sports pitches - not enough space - off campus to be considered
- Improvements to University Road (phased)
The University will also respond to Charnwood Borough Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF) consultations.
In terms of on-campus student accommodation, plans are already underway to develop more. The University has outline approval for 2,500 bed spaces and planning work has started on Car Park Seven, which will provide up to 1,000 student bed spaces. The University will continue to monitor and assess demand and supply for on-campus accommodation and develop its strategy accordingly. Also, in line with recent legislation, the University will be embarking on a programme of refurbishment and/or replacement of some existing halls of residence, including Faulkner Eggington, William Morris and Elvyn Richards.
Professor Phil Roberts, the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, has been leading the Strategic Review process. He said: “These are interesting and exciting times for the University. We are content with the review work to date and confident in being able to develop a masterplan that will help guide the University over the coming years.
“We had a useful meeting with residents on Monday evening and look forward to a continuing dialogue.”For further information
Ends
For further information contact:
- Hannah Baldwin, Head of PR
T: 01509 222239, E: H.E.Baldwin@lboro.ac.uk
Notes to editors
- Loughborough has an established reputation for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with industry, and unrivalled sporting achievement. Assessments of teaching quality by the Quality Assurance Agency place Loughborough in the top flight of UK universities, and industry highlights Loughborough in its top five for graduate recruitment. Around 45% of the University’s income is for research. The University has been awarded four Queen’s Anniversary Prizes: for its collaboration with aerospace and automotive companies such as BAE Systems, Ford and Rolls Royce; for its work in developing countries; for pioneering research in optical engineering; and for its world-leading role in sports research, education and development.