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08/07/2007 - Lancaster University Eco Residences scheme
The University Partnerships Programme (UPP), the country’s leading university partner in student accommodation, has reached financial close with Lancaster University on Phase IV of the university’s Residences Programme. The new phase will mark the first use of the sustainable Accent/UPP model for student residences and extends UPP and Lancaster University’s partnership, which was established in 2003.
The latest phase in the partnership between Lancaster University and UPP will result in the development of a further 950 rooms. This includes new build four-storey town houses, cluster flats and family flats using the new, eco-friendly UPP/Accent model, as well as 176 refurbished rooms and 13 refurbished flats in the existing County College building. UPP will manage the facilities for 48 years. The deal, which also involved refinancing the first three phases and extending the leases by 10 years, has also allowed the university to release a significant amount of capital, to be reinvested back into the institution.
With the Accent/UPP model, UPP is enshrining sustainability as a key principle from the start of building to completion of student accommodation projects and beyond. Timber from sustainable managed forests is being used for the building’s superstructure, reducing the carbon-footprint of the build by 30% when compared to a traditional scheme.
The model places an emphasis on good, simple planning. The manufacturing of the timber frames takes place off site, which contributes to reducing the amount of construction materials required and waste generated during the build. Equally, this method of construction is significantly quicker than traditional concrete builds: with construction having begun in March 2007, 500 rooms will be completed by end December 2007.
The new buildings aim to use a range of energy-saving technologies – including air tightness, enhanced insulation levels and hot water heated with solar thermal panels – in order to be sustainable and eco-friendly. The environmentally-friendly rooms will incorporate benign natural minerals throughout, as well as water-based coatings and paints.
Clive Crawford, Chief Executive of UPP, said:
“We must approach the development of future university estates on the basis of sustainable principles. HEFCE guidance on universities’ environmental performance provides an important benchmark. The Accent/UPP solution attempts to fulfil these criteria while offering students – who show themselves to be increasingly concerned regarding sustainability - the best range of choice in accommodation.
“Lancaster University’s students have benefited from £100 million of investment in its accommodation services to date. The confidence that the university has shown in UPP, by opting to extend our partnership agreement to 48 years is of great significance to us.”
Lancaster University Director of Estate Management Mark Swindlehurst said:
"This new, eco-friendly accommodation will help us to attract increasing numbers of students from across the UK and internationally. Importantly, the accommodation has been designed as an environment that will encourage ‘good habits’ in terms of sustainable living, day-to-day. We’re proud to be setting this standard for future best practice.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Ian Lindsley, Ben Russell, Fran O’Leary, Jefferson CommunicationsTel: +44 (0)20 7256 8912
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