UPP is rising above the recent doom and gloom as it celebrates another spectacular year with occupancy levels of more than 99 per cent across its portfolio of university partners.
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22/12/2011 - Plans submitted for renewal of Bridges Hall at the University of Reading’s Whiteknights Campus
UPP has submitted plans to replace student residences at the University of Reading’s Whiteknight Campus. These plans represent the final phase of the Whiteknights Campus student residences replacement plan, and respond to a demand from students for high quality, affordable accommodation on the site.
The plans, which include the renewal of Bridges Hall, have been put before Wokingham Borough Council for approval, following a consultation exercise with the local community, students and staff.
The scheme includes the replacement of an existing hall of residence, the provision of a new catering hub and ancillary accommodation, including a Junior Common Room social space, a new warden’s flat, and launderette and hall offices. The scheme aims to provide a range of accommodation types to cater for different student requirements, including en-suite cluster flats, town houses, and economy cluster flats.
The scheme has been designed with sustainability in mind and aims to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard for the residences. The redevelopment will incorporate a number of environmentally sustainable features, including roof top solar panels, energy efficient boilers and water heaters, energy metering facilities, and heat recovery ventilation systems.
Professor Tony Downes, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said:
“The replacement of the old Bridges Hall with a high-quality development that will meet exacting environmental standards and deliver an excellent student experience will complete our ambitious project to make student accommodation at Reading second to none in the sector.”
Sean O’Shea, Chief Executive of UPP, said:
“Our proposals represent a clear vision to improve facilities and enhance the student experience. Working in close partnership with the University of Reading, we have created a sustainable, affordable student accommodation scheme that meets the demand from students for a high quality environment in which to study, live and relax. We look forward to taking our plans forward with our partners, the University of Reading.”
UPP recently completed a pioneering deal which will provide over £200 million investment for the University and see UPP operating a total of 4,321 rooms as well as managing the University accommodation office. UPP is the leading provider of campus infrastructure, student accommodation and residential management services to the HE sector. Working in partnership with universities, UPP provides specialist residential management services, including facilities management.
The completion of Bridges Hall will not add to the overall number of student bedrooms available to Reading students. The replacement halls programme has significantly updated the quality of student accommodation and concentrated University halls on the Whiteknights campus.
ENDS
For more information about UPP, please contact:
Martha Dalton
Lodestone
M: 07971138459
E:
Notes to Editors
1. UPP
University Partnerships Programme (UPP) is the trading name of UPP Group Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries. It specialises in funding, developing and operating student accommodation and campus infrastructure schemes as well as delivering residential management services. It has invested £1.2 billion in the Higher Education sector and plans to invest a further £1 billion into UK universities.
http://www.upp-ltd.com
2. University of Reading
The University of Reading is rated as one of the top 200 universities in the world (THE World Rankings 2011). The University is one of the UK’s top research- intensive universities and is ranked in the top 20 UK higher education institutions in success rates for securing research council grants worth nearly £10 million from UK Research Councils.In the RAE 2008, over 87% of the university’s research was deemed to be of international standing. Areas of particular research strength recognised include meteorology and climate change, typography and graphic design, archaeology, philosophy, food biosciences, construction management, real estate and planning, as well as law. Standards of teaching and the student experience are excellent - the University scored highly in the National Student Survey 2011. 89% of Reading students responding to the survey stated they were satisfied with the quality of their course.
Media enquiries about the University of Reading from Alex Brannen, Director of Communications, on 0118 378 8005,
3. The scheme is located on the University of Reading’s Whiteknights Campus. The campus is south of Reading town centre.
There are 649 student rooms organised between three types of accommodation: premium rooms are en-suite and organised within 8 room cluster flats, standard rooms are non-ensuite bedrooms with shared bathrooms arranged in 12 person town houses, and economy rooms are non-ensuite rooms arranged in 10 person cluster flats. The proposals are for 63 premium rooms, 192 standard rooms, and 394 economy rooms. All accomodation is four storeys in height.
Other facilities will include: a new cafe bar and shop, , launderette, covered bicycle stores, a Junior Common Room, a new warden’s flat, student reception and office suite.
The scheme is targeted to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for the residential development.
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