University of Wolverhampton Business School scheme gets green light

PLANS to create a new building to house the University of Wolverhampton Business School have been given the go-ahead.

Wolverhampton City Council approved plans for the £18m project to build a new building at the junction of Molineux Street and Camp Street at the City Molineux campus.

The six storey building will be a combination of teaching and social learning space.

Included in the proposed new building will be tutorial, workshop and seminar rooms, an IT suite, meeting rooms, learning zones and a central social space and café.

Dr Anthea Gregory, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences which incorporates the University of Wolverhampton Business School, said: “The news that we have received planning permission is very welcome and we now look forward to construction getting underway early next year.

“I think it’s very positive for the University of Wolverhampton and also the wider business community, the city and the local economy.

“The new business school will demonstrate our commitment to providing education, training and jobs to help economic regeneration.”

The new build scheme is being led by project managers Gardiner &Theobald and has been designed by Manchester-based architectural practice Sheppard Robson.

Rod McAllister, partner and design director, said: “Sheppard Robson is honoured to have been asked to design this prestigious new business school.

“Our design team has worked with the university to develop an exciting response to its unique site that reflects the integration of high academic ambition with the business world.”

Now that planning consent has been awarded, work on site is due to start in early 2014 with a delivery date of May 2015.