Bower Ashton Redevelopment
Outline planning permission has been secured for the campus Master Plan - a plan of how the campus may be developed over the next ten years. Building details are still to be determined but are likely to fit the footprint and height of the buildings indicated in the master plan. UWE would still need to secure detailed planning permission for each individual building.
UWE has secured detailed planning permission for Building 1 - replacing the Bungalow and the lawn outside C Block and the Wood Centre
UWE has secured planning permission to refurbish the B Block tower - this includes new windows, new insulation, new wiring and lighting and improvements to the central heating. This does not include any internal refurbishment although this is being looked into but would require additional funding.
Part of the master plan will be implemented during phase 1 of the refurbishment, namely Building 1, the refurbishment of the B Block tower, the re-routing of delivery vehicles around the end of D Block, moving the main entrance to the 'bungalow entrance', the introduction of a bus turning circle outside Building 1 and the initial landscaping of the paddock, woodland, campus perimeter and avenue between C and D Blocks.
As part of the planning consent UWE have handed over a considerable sum of money to the council (in the region of £125,000) for them to improve the cycle routes to the campus, to install a crossing on Clanage Road and for the painting of yellow lines along Park Farm Road. The council may decide to paint yellow lines in neighbouring streets over which UWE has no control. The yellow lines on Park Farm Road will initially enable UWE to get large contractors vehicles on and off the site but will then allow the 141 bus to drive onto the campus. This is all part of the conditions of planning consent. The council have also threatened to monitor the number of cars parked on neighbouring streets and fine UWE to reduce this. UWE are therefore being forced to reduce car use. UWE hope that the introduction of the bus turning circle will encourage people to use the 141 and the introduction of cyclists showers and 80 undercover bike racks will encourage more people to cycle. As a result of the builders compound arriving in the summer car parking on site will be drastically reduced. If you are able to travel to Bower Ashton by any other means than car, please consider it!
The project has secured £11.5 million for Phase 1 - about half from HEFCE and half from UWE.Building Schedule:
April '06
Drawing Garden plants moved to other parts of the university. Continuing work on D Block for Fashion
June '06
Wessex Water work on Park Farm Road and Kennel Lodge Road? Clearing of OutbuildingsRemoval of external art works, including any new ones created for the Degree Show.
July - August '06
Electrics in D Block switched off for 2 weeks to enable panel to be changed (dates tbc but possibly 26 June - 7 July) Vacation of Bungalow. Carry out Summer 2006 Shuffle. Detailed surveying of B Block. Demolition of Bungalow and Outbuildings. Services re-routed. New delivery yard constructed & access improved.
September '06
Construction of Building 1 (for completion in Sept '07)
July - August '07
Carry out Summer 2007 Shuffle.
September '07
Refurbishment of B Block (for completion in July '08)
July - August '08
Carry out Summer 2008 Shuffle
The Shuffle strategy is where UWE attempts to move people around the campus and our satellite sites to enable building and refurbishment works to take place. It is important to note that everyone is affected and will have to put up with disruption and a reduction in space, particularly in the 2007-08 academic year. The shuffle 2006 is pretty much decided, there is some room for movement in 2007 and certainly the situation for the library, photography and textiles is not great. In 2008 UWE have the luxury of more space than we have had for a long time and details of how this will be used is still up for negotiation.
Further information is available from the Project Manager, Mr. David Grist MCIOB - Surveyor - Tel 82595
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