News Archive

University Whiteknights Development Plan finalised – University of Reading

Following a six week consultation last autumn, the University of Reading has now finalised its Whiteknights Development Plan 2008-2018.

A Development Plan is needed to set out principles and create a vision of a high quality environment that will facilitate student recruitment and retention of staff, providing the conditions in which teaching and research, students and staff, can flourish. The infrastructure developments are designed to enhance the university's academic activity and ensure the University of Reading continues to be regarded as one of the leading universities in the UK and internationally.

The Plan will become the reference and context of the university's vision to develop the campus. It has been submitted to Wokingham Borough and Reading Borough Councils as a supplementary document for forthcoming planning applications emanating from the Plan. The first of these covers alterations to existing and new pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular routes, including a new bridge across the Whiteknights Lake.

Last autumn, the University consulted on 14 key themes of its £250m Whiteknights' Campus Development Plan 2008-2018, ranging from the location of proposed new buildings to vehicle access around the campus. Subsequently, it has also sought the opinions of staff, students, statutory authorities and local residents on the redevelopment of halls of residence on the site of Whiteknights and Childs Halls.

For many years, the University has been concerned about the fragmentation of the campus that has resulted in an inability to access many areas without using the peripheral public road network. This has affected security, deliveries and logistics. A cornerstone of the university's plans for the campus over the next ten years, therefore, will involve new and improved internal connections between the academic buildings, halls of residence, welfare and support buildings.

This month, the university has submitted a planning application for pedestrian and cyclist routes as well as three short sections of single-carriageway service route to improve internal connections on the campus. This includes a new cross-campus route over the lake on the site of the current Friends Bridge, which is designed with limited vehicle access only and includes a public footpath. The creation of a lake crossing is central to the successful delivery of the University's Catering Strategy and aspiration to attract improved public transport penetration through the Campus – it will be of sufficient width to accommodate a public bus and public footpath. The final chosen location of the bridge reflects the results of a number of environmental surveys and feedback from the consultation process.

The University is now also in a position to move forward on its plans to provide top-quality accommodation for its students of the future by redeveloping a number of its older halls. A planning application will be submitted this September to redevelop the sites of Whiteknights Hall and Child's Hall, following the positive response the plans received at the public exhibition in July.

A main plank of the Development Plan will, over time, reduce the number of peripheral vehicle entry and exit points, as well as looking at the implications on security of the number of pedestrian access points.

Tony Downes, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: "I'd like to thank the many local people, staff, students and various authorities who have contributed to the consultation and exhibitions – we have as far as possible tried to reflect these views and opinions in the final version of the Plan.

"As we move forward over the next decade, we will use the Whiteknights Development Plan as the guiding reference to help us develop this wonderful campus in a way that provides the very best facilities and environment, and supports and inspires our staff and ensures we continue to attract the best students."

Full details of the Whiteknights Development Plan and the Public Consultation Responses report, as well as details on how to take part in the formal planning process for planning applications can be found at eg - website

www.reading.ac.uk/about/about-wkdevelopment.asp

ENDS

Further information from Alex Brannen, Media Relations Manager, on 0118 378 7388.

Notes to editors:

The Whiteknights Development Plan 2008-18 is designed to provide facilities appropriate to the university's world-class standing and international reputation. Specifically, the Whiteknights Development Plan outlines 14 themes for campus development:-

• To rationalise the number of peripheral vehicle entry/exit points.

• To revitalise the internal movement and parking strategy.

• To improve the connection between the two districts.

• To reinforce the centre of the campus as the hub of student facilities.

• To create a new entry management arrangement for visitors.

• To improve the public realm, strengthening legibility and identity.

• To provide a new Film Theatre & Television studies building within the academic heart.

• An efficient collection, sorting and disposal of waste and recyclables.

• To create a stronger academic, research and business quarter at Earley Gate.

• An integrated catering strategy.

• To replace and upgrade halls of residence.

• A zoning strategy to guide investment and protect environmental assets.

• To enhance sports and recreation provision.

• To deliver physical development projects using sustainable construction techniques in order to maximise energy efficiency.