Hes-Eastern Promises

York’s Heslington East campus is set for vast changes in the coming years, with the University announcing a range of new additions to the Russell Group University’s second campus.

The second site, home of Langwith and Goodricke Colleges, has long drawn criticism from students for the lack of provisions made available by the University since the campus opened in October 2009.

However, Vision can exclusively reveal a raft of changes planned by the University to pull Hes East up to the standard of its sister, Heslington West.

The plans also include a variety of ideas being seen at this University for the first time in its 50 year history.

The University’s plans for the campus include a brand new supermarket, a chain of shops, an hotel and a new students’ union-run venue to open alongside the as-yet unnamed ‘College Nine’, scheduled to be opened in August 2014.

University Registrar David Duncan told Vision: “A working group has already been set up with YUSU to consider how best to improve facilities for students on Heslington East.

“We are also in discussion with a private provider about construction of a parade of shops on the campus. This might include a pharmacy, mini-supermarket, hairdresser, dry cleaner and newsagent. If the project goes ahead, we would like to provide studio space for YUSU and GSA, similar to the lounge space formerly occupied by McQs.”

The idea of a new Students’ Union building as also been mooted – with the prospect of a building similar in size to The Courtyard holding gig nights on Hes East.

YUSU President Kallum Taylor talked up the prospect of what he described as a “second Courtyard,” and told Vision: “We’re currently involved in negotiations with the University on the future of Heslington East buildings and services. Together with the Goodricke and Langwith Chairs we’re making the case to make the campus vibrant, student focused and somewhere to generally be excited about.

“It’s important that whatever is put into place can stand the test of time, as the last thing we want is to be having to campaign and work to get little improvements on an annual basis.

“The University are being genuinely co-operative on this too, which is great, and it bodes really well for the future of YUSU / Uni relations.”

Regarding the prospect of an hotel, Duncan added: “We are in discussion with a leading hotel chain about the possibility of locating an hotel on Heslington East. This was always envisaged as one aspect of the development of the campus.

“The hotel would have between 100 and 150 rooms, a function suite for conferences and other events, a gastro pub and restaurant, a coffee shop and spa-type treatment rooms, which the University claim “would complement the provision in York Sport Village.”

The hotel is aimed to be designed to a high standard but would be affordable to academic visitors, parents and alumni, as well as business visitors to the campus.

Other universities which already have hotels include Lancaster, and more recently, Nottingham.

There are also plans to introduce an athletics track – and the University are seeking funding for a hockey academy to be set up, and a cycling Velodrome to be built.

One first-year Langwith resident told Vision: “These plans sound amazing in theory – hopefully it will be something that will revitalise the Hes East campus as it is pretty dull here at the minute.

“The introduction of a mini-supermarket is the best thing. Life saver!”