CITY Planners have given Birmingham City University the green light to build phase one of its £60m ‘Eastside’ campus expansion.
BCU wants to construct a five-storey centre to house the university’s institute of art and design.
The 18,310 sq metre project is a revised version of a previous scheme for which BCU had permission but was forced to scrap after the Government announced plans for a High Speed 2 rail terminus nearby.
The appointment of the main building contractor will be announced in July and work will start on the campus in autumn for occupation from September 2013.
The hub will offer technology-based arts provision and feature TV, radio and photographic studios to underpin its media courses.
Facilities will include media production space, including four TV studios, radio studies and associated technical support space.
The facility, granted approval at yesterday’s city council planning committee meeting, is part of BCU’s wider plans to invest £180m into developing its campus in the east of the city centre.
Councillor Peter Douglas-Osborn, chairman of Birmingham City Council’s planning committee, said: “This type of investment is supported with alacrity.
“Clearly, it will help put students in a place where they can compete in a global marketplace, supported with an excellent British education.”
BCU vice-chancellor Professor David Tidmarsh added: “We are delighted that the city has backed our plans at Eastside because they signal a real commitment by Birmingham City University to create the best learning experience possible for our students.”
Research clients, prospects and trends by searching TheBusinessDesk.com’s extensive story archive. Click here.
Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
