The University of Leicester has announced a transformative £500m programme of investment that will improve student facilities, as well as public spaces over the next decade.
Taking up to ten years to complete, but with significant investment planned over the next three-four years, the programme will feature a mix of major refurbishment and redevelopment projects, including significant works to some of the most iconic buildings on central campus, including the Charles Wilson Building and Attenborough Tower.
The programme will see investment in the open spaces within which the University is located, with plans to improve the quality of public spaces, both on central campus and the surrounding areas, in order to enhance the overall environment for students, staff and the general public.
The announcement follows the recent publication of the University’s plans for two new major projects at its Brookfield campus on London Road to create a new home for the School for Business by renovating the 19th Century Brookfield House and surrounding buildings, and further work to complete the transformation of the Percy Gee Building, which houses the Students’ Union on the central campus. Planning applications were submitted last month following public consultation in the summer.
This £500m phase of investment is in addition to work already completed including the development of the new £42m Centre for Medicine, investment in the £19.5m Engineering Building roof and the creation of the striking new Fielding Johnson Square, which now plays host to a range of seasonal events.
University of Leicester’s Director of Estates and Campus Services, Brita Sread, said, “We are committed to improving the quality of experience for all those who use our facilities be they students, staff or the public. The University has invested significantly in its estate – for example the Centre for Medicine and the recently completed Engineering Roof project which had a combined cost of over £60million.
“As part of our new programme to transform our estate and ensure that we create a campus fit for the second century of our University, we plan to invest a further £500million over the next 10 years. Our ambition is to create an environment that truly supports teaching, research and an unrivalled student experience.'
