ESSEX University has submitted a planning application for a 634-room student accommodation block.

If the plans for the Knowledge Gateway in Colchester are approved it will mean the university has 4,747 student bedrooms in the town.

It would mean all first year and overseas students would be able to have a room on the campus.

Bryn Morris, university registrar, said: “Our ambitious expansion plans are vital to maintaining and enhancing our international reputation for excellence.

"We have invested £200million in developing new living and learning spaces on our campuses, with our new Silberrad Student Centre, Library extension and new Essex Business School buildings opening earlier this year.

"The development of further student residences on our Colchester campus is the next step in securing the future success of the university.”

There are about 10,000 students at Essex University’s Colchester campus.

The university hopes to start work on the new accommodation block in spring 2016 with the accommodation ready for use from autumn 2017, if Colchester Council grants planning permission.

It has already held a public consultation into the plans and set up a student focus group to get student views.

Earlier this year, the university submitted plans to build a £10million Innovation Centre at the centre of its Knowledge Gateway.

The proposed building would include 66 offices for businesses and would support small and start-up businesses, offering space, resources and expertise to help them grow and develop.

The university believes the new centre will create up to 400 jobs in its first ten years and hopes businesses will employ its graduates.

Work began on the Knowledge Gateway science and business park started in 2010.

If the new Innovation Centre gets the go-ahead, it is hoped work will start in the spring.
 

Gazette: Essex University

 

FOUR new tennis courts could also be built at the university.

The floodlit courts will be covered by a nine metre high air dome, made of polythene and supported by continuously running fans.

They will replace three existing tennis courts.

Objections have been raised to the creation of a separate sports pitch at the university.

Plans have been drawn up for an all weather sports pitch to replace two existing ones.

However, concerns have been raised the impact of the project, which is in a designated historic park.

Wivenhoe Town Council said the new pitch may obscure views of Wivenhoe House, which is a listed building.

The Essex Gardens Trust called for the plans to be amended.

It said the synthetic surface will stand out from the surrounding landscape, especially the metal fencing around the pitch which, it said, would be obtrusive in the open parkland.