University granted planning permission for St John’s Hall of Residences

The new hall of residence in the centre of town is seen as vital to secure the University’s future. To remain successful the University must continue to attract students to study in Northampton, and that means offering high-quality accommodation choices both on campus and for those wishing to be part of the wider community in Northampton town centre.

The University is also delighted to be progressing with a project which will make a significant financial contribution to the town. It is expected that the new development at St John’s will generate an extra £3 million spending in the town each year. This is in addition to the £250 million that the University contributes to the regional economy every year.

The new Halls of Residence will comprise of 464 bedrooms and be available for a mix of students including postgraduates and international students. The building has also been designed to create an interesting, exciting building in this area of Northampton. It will feature varying height levels, use of curves and irregular shapes, and use of feature glazing and contrasting panels to signify key areas like entrances.

Work on the £25 million redevelopment will begin this summer ahead of the opening in January 2014.

Vice Chancellor of The University of Northampton Professor Nick Petford welcomed the announcement:

The University of Northampton is delighted by the Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the St John’s Surface Car Park. This is a project which is vital for the future. To remain competitive the University must be able to offer its students the very best accommodation when they choose to study here and this new hall helps to enhance its accommodation offer significantly. This really is excellent news for both the University and the whole of Northampton, which will continue to benefit economically and socially from the University’s success.

As the University’s plans were developed the team worked hard to engage with local residents and get their views on the proposals. This feedback was invaluable and helped shape the final proposals and improve the overall design of the building. The University is keen to thank all those who took the time to contribute.

However, it does not stop there, the University is committed to continuing to work in close partnership with other Northampton agencies and the local community to make sure it gets this absolutely right and the team look forward to doing so in the coming months.

Vice Chancellor Professor Nick Petford