First phase of major University expansion gets go-ahead

The first phase of a planning major expansion of the University of Birmingham has been given the go-ahead by Birmingham City Council.

The University has been given the go-ahead to redevelop the former Munrow Sports Centre on its Edgbaston campus into a 136,670 sq ft modular science hub, which would include labs, lecturing theatres, offices and tutorial rooms.

The building has been designed by Associated Architects and will have space for up to 600 students and staff.

Twelve new jobs will be created.

A planning statement accompanying the application said: “The university are seeking to deliver a building that is the start of a new flagship facility to enable world class research.

“The development shall create a fizzing intellectual atmosphere in flexible science space that will help transform working practice, with a focus on challenge-led thematic research.

“This Phase One building has a focus on chemical, environmental and bio-molecular sciences, and is primarily post-graduate and academic research focused.”