The University of York is set to invest £400 million in facilities on Heslington West over the next ten years, to help improve accommodation, teaching blocks, sporting provisions and study spaces on the main campus.
The development comes after a sustained period where the emphasis has been placed on Heslington East, with the recent construction of Langwith College and the Sports Village, as well as the current work on Constantine College.
Numerous complaints have been lodged in recent years about the lack of investment in facilities on Heslington West, with the University being criticised for failing to update and replace old and decrepid features of the campus.
University of York Secretary and Registrar David Duncan said: “Last term the Campus Development Steering Group looked for the first time at comprehensive plans for the phased redevelopment of Heslington West.
“These plans have been developed further over the summer and now go forward for consideration by the senior management group and Council.
“Our aim is to make the Heslington campus as a whole one of the best in the country for both student experience and research. We estimate the total cost of the proposed works to be just under £400m, with an additional £40m for IT infrastructure and research equipment.
“The plans will include major new developments for the sciences, high quality residential accommodation for all students living on campus, a new teaching facility and a further significant expansion of the library.
“Early priorities include new accommodation for the Natural Sciences and Biomedical Sciences courses, a new building for the Environment Department, and continued work on the Chemistry complex.
“Maths, Physics and Electronics are next on the priority list together with improved accommodation for a number of Arts and Social Sciences disciplines.”
A number of projects have already been completed over the summer, with development work taking place in Alcuin North to improve teaching and research facilities. Campus outlet B-Henry’s has also been fully refurbished, with the £60,000 project set to be completed within the first week of the new academic year.
Student accommodation in James College has also been handed an overhaul, with £700,000 spent on redecorating blocks A, B and C, as well as installing new kitchens, lighting and flooring. Similar work has been completed in the iconic Fairfax House, which is set to house York students again this year, with six new kitchens replacing the dated incumbents.
Other completed projects which form part of the University’s long term plan to redevelop Heslington West include improving ventilation of the Jack Lyons Concert Hall, and converting the Vanbrugh Provost’s House into offices, welfare and social space.
On the developments, YUSU President Kallum Taylor told Vision: “Some of the buildings on Hes West should’ve been replaced 25 years ago, and not to say you can’t have a good time in the older blocks, they’re a bit of an embarrassing quirk about the campus.
“We completely back the plans to restructure Hes West before Heslington East leaves it behind and will look to play a role in these plans. It’ll make for several loud years and lots of building work, but will be worth it in the end.”
Third Year Maths and Finance student Dylan Chambers added: “I think it is great for the University to expand and I feel like Hes West needs investment as it is falling behind other universities in terms of quality.
“If they are trying to eventually transfer the whole of York University to Hes East than that is sad news, as I feel the spirit of York University remains on Hes West.”
Work is currently being carried out on Constantine College, which is set to be completed in time for students arriving in September 2014. Plans for a hotel, supermarket, 10 smaller retail outlets and other student facilities still remain, but a completion date is yet to be confirmed.