Progress made in creation of Shropshire’s new University
‘Rapid and significant’ progress has been made in the creation of Shropshire’s new University, a report to next week’s meeting of the full Shropshire Council says.
University Centre Shrewsbury is being developed by Shropshire Council, the University of Chester and ip&e – the Shropshire Council-owned company. It is set to welcome its first postgraduate students this month, and its first undergraduates in September 2015.
At their last meeting in July, councillors agreed that work be carried out to investigate potential teaching and living accommodation in Shrewsbury for the university students.
As a result of this work, the report recommends that Guildhall is the main site for academic teaching for the first phase of the university’s development, and that it is made available for fitting-out and occupancy from 1 January 2015. Part of Guildhall is already empty and available with immediate effect.
Shropshire Council staff, including customer services, would move to alternative accommodation, and any wedding bookings at Guildhall would be honoured.
Meanwhile, the former reference library on Castle Gates has been identified for use as the university’s library. And Frankwell and Abbey Foregate car parks have been ruled out as short-term options for new student accommodation.
The report says that Frankwell requires problematic and costly flood-risk management work. And, though planning for a planning application for Abbey Foregate is progressing, the resolution of environmental issues on site, plus an estimated 80-week build time, means this site would not be ready by September 2015.
As a result the most viable option is to look to provide accommodation in the first year through the refurbishment of existing premises in the town. Options have been explored to meet the September 2015 deadline and work is underway on a number of conversion options.
The report asks councillors to agree that Shropshire Council’s chief executive, in consultation with the Leader, go out to procurement – as required – for such accommodation.
Meanwhile, significant progress has been made in other areas since July.
The use of the University Centre Shrewsbury name has been confirmed after discussions with the Government departments that provide guidance and agree what an institution can be called.
The undergraduate curriculum is going through the final stages of authorisation, an initial website has been launched (at www.ucshrewsbury.co.uk) and work is being carried out to promote the university to potential applicants.
And Rowley’s House is being established as the initial contact centre, with part of the building to be used for access from this autumn by the local community, potential students and anyone interested in the development of the university. The report recommends that the building is considered further for the potential for teaching space and post-graduate delivery.
Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:
“Since full Council last discussed the university plans in July, a huge amount of progress has been made in creating University Centre Shrewsbury.
“After careful consideration of the options, we now know the best options for teaching and living accommodation. We also now have a name, a list of courses, a website, and a lot of hard work is being carried out to promote the university to potential students and to have everything ready for our first undergraduates in September 2015.
“We estimate that the university will generate around £60m for the Shropshire economy each year once it grows to 2,000 students. But, just as importantly it will improve access to Higher Education for Shropshire-based students, raise the profile of Shropshire, and help to better meet the needs of businesses across the county and beyond.”
Professor Tim Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, said:
“We are working with Shropshire Council to create a high quality institution that offers pioneering choices for students and creates a wide range of social, cultural and economic benefits.
“The report outlines how areas such as the curriculum have taken shape, with the input of local businesses and others, and puts forward the best teaching, learning resource and residential accommodation options for students, staff, residents, businesses and our wider partners.
“Everyone’s efforts and enthusiasm are ensuring that University Centre Shrewsbury will be a significant investment for the future of Shropshire.”
