Staffordshire University reveals plans for new student village

Staffordshire University is to consult the community on plans for a new Student Village on its main Stoke-on-Trent campus.

The new multi-million pound campus transformation proposals involve the demolition of existing student accommodation on its Leek Road site which will become accessible parkland.

The planned Student Village will be built on the opposite side of the River Trent, next to the nature reserve and close to the existing Clarice Cliff Court Halls of Residence and the Woodlands Day Nursery and Forest School.

This will involve construction of more than 700 new student rooms in a mix of cluster blocks and townhouses, plus the refurbishment of the Clarice Cliff Court accommodation which currently houses just under 300 students.

A village ‘hub’ facility is also proposed as part of the development which would support the wider student experience on campus through an events and well-being space, individual and group study areas and multi-activity spaces, as well as a rooftop terrace with an outdoor seating area.

A new pedestrian bridge and boardwalk would link the new accommodation and hub with the University’s wider Leek Road site.

As part of the plans, a new car parking area would be created on the former Squires View site to the east of the University’s campus.

Subject to the necessary planning permissions, construction of the Student Village would commence in 2024 with an estimated completion date of 2026.

Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Staffordshire University, said: “We are very excited to submit these plans to Stoke-on-Trent City Council later this month.

“The proposed Staffordshire University Student Village is an exciting opportunity to create a vibrant student community offering new ways of living and studying on campus by blending contemporary sustainable architecture with high quality facilities.’’

Sally McGill, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Lead for Sustainability at Staffordshire University added: “This development has the potential to revitalise our campus not only by providing an excellent environment for our students, in a unique natural setting, but also by creating a new green heart to the Leek Road site.

“We look forward to putting our plans for the development to the wider community and hearing their feedback.”

The proposed plans will not affect students currently living in halls of residence at the University’s Leek Road site.

Students, staff, residents, community groups and businesses are being invited to find out more about the proposed campus transformation scheme at a public consultation on Thursday 12 October 2023. The event, which will take place in The Catalyst building on Leek Road site 4pm to 7.30pm, will invite feedback on the plans, prior to submission of the full planning application to Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

A dedicated website, containing full details of the proposals, will also be available to view from Thursday 12 October 2023. The public consultation will close at 5pm on Thursday 26 October 2023.

The plans will be considered by Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Planning Committee in the coming months.