University of Lincoln students were given the opportunity to ask questions about the Brayford Pool campus masterplan, which includes a multi-storey car park, new student accommodation and more space efficiency.
On Friday, January 18th, 2013, the University of Lincoln’s Environmental Sustainability Manager Dan Clayton gave a presentation and took questions about the development of the campus.
Speaking at the Students’ Union Annual General Meeting, Clayton revealed that the plans for a multi-storey car park on the campus “would add significant capacity to allow for future increases in the number of users.”
After complaints from students that a lot of rooms around campus were empty, it was revealed that just over half of the “centrally timetabled space” (52.3%) is being utilised. Clayton explained: “Space utilisation rates at the university have improved significantly – especially since the introduction of space charging in August 2012.
“We are actively exploring ways to make all of our space even more efficient, including office space and teaching rooms.”
Clayton went on to say that the new Art and Design building “is providing replacement space for subjects currently based in Chad Varah House, the Greestone Centre and Thomas Parker House”.
At the end of 2012, a motion passed at Student Council addressed the issue of the lack of green spaces on campus. Clayton explained how the new design would incorporate this: “The masterplan includes a strategy for improving the landscaping around the site.
“This should provide more seating areas, improved biodiversity, and a softer campus with more trees and plants.”
Students also quizzed Clayton about the shortfall in student accommodation in Lincoln, to which he responded: “The masterplan for the university includes areas that have been allocated for student accommodation – enough space for around 1,200 new beds.
“In addition, there are a number of private student accommodation developments underway at Wigford Yard which should provide 400 rooms. There’s also the Bacon Factory site which should provide over 200 rooms and the development adjacent to the Holiday Inn Express which should cater for over 100 rooms.”
Full details of the masterplan are available on the Learning Landscapes website.