The arts university in Norwich has signed an agreement for its students to be housed at a new 228-room student accommodation development next to the city's bus station.
The All Saints' Green development, by student accommodation specialist Alumno Developments, was given planning permission last year, but now Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) has announced its students will have exclusive occupation of the site.
The move will significantly increase NUA's student accommodation from its current 165 places across three sites in the north and the west of the city, by making another 228 rooms available by 2016.
Professor John Last, NUA vice-chancellor, said: 'All Saints' Green is another keystone in NUA's commitment to building the highest quality student experience.
'The university is already recognised in the National Student Survey as providing the best student satisfaction among all specialist arts universities in the UK and is ranked as the seventh most welcoming higher education institution for students starting their university journey.
'Our continued investment in our campus and resources positions NUA at the forefront of arts, design and media degree provision.'
The All Saints' Green development will be on the east side of Norwich bus station, between the YMCA building and Queen's Road.
The developer was granted permission to demolish numbers 52 and 54 All Saints' Green, to carry out the refurbishment of Number 50 – a Grade II listed building – and for the creation of a 'pocket park'.
The majority of bedrooms will be in self-contained cluster flats with six en-suite bedrooms, with a kitchen/lounge.
There will also be a small number of self-contained studios. Alumno will start the development on Friday,
At the start of the year, the university reopened its Guntons Building with a remodelled entrance hall and atrium.
Last year NUA was awarded funding toward a £3m Digital Centre for Innovation which will open in September 2015 and in March NUA completed the purchase of Boardman House in Princes Street, which is undergoing refurbishment and will also open in September 2015 to accommodate the expanding architecture course and create additional media studio space.
What do you think of the development design? Email EDPLetters@archant.co.uk, including your name, address and contact details.
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