New student housing will reinvigorate Salford campus

Artists impression of Peel Park

Planning permission has been granted today for student residences with over 2,000 bedrooms to be constructed on the University of Salford's campus - breathing new life into the area around Peel Park and creating a busy and exciting environment for all.

Construction of the first phase will begin next year and be completed in 2013. The site will also have 24 hour security which will help keep the area quiet and free from litter, as well as having positive benefits in preventing crime.

The residences will also positively overlook Peel Park which will draw more people to this historic public space and embed it much more firmly back into the life of the community and the University.

The new accommodation forms parts of an ambitious plan to redevelop the University of Salford campus and make it more accessible, vibrant and sustainable.

Work has already begun on a major refurbishment of the Chapman Building to make it into a fully modernised teaching and exhibition space, and planning permission was recently granted for a £51m arts building which will have performance and exhibition spaces for students and the community.

The new accommodation will cost £30m and, when completed, will centralise the University's accommodation on one site - replacing existing stock outside the campus including the current Castel Irwell residences.

The new buildings are also intended to be much more sustainable with the intention of obtaining world-leadingBREEAM accreditation and will have the option of being fitted with roofs on which grass and other plants can be laid to provide natural insulation.

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall said: "The new student residences form an important part of our plan to transform our University campus and the role we play in supporting the regeneration of Salford.

"Students, sited at the heart of our campus, will have easier access to modern state-of-the-art teaching and leisure facilities which will be shared with, and will benefit, the whole of the local community."

Manchester based planning consultancy Turley Associates advised on planning.