• A world class university requires world class facilities • Our predicted student numbers are likely to increase by 20% and

thus the need for high quality sustainable accommodation also increases

• It is proposed 2 new Barnes Halls of Residence are built to replace the Hawthorns Halls

• Barnes Halls will be en-suite in response to student demand• Hawthorns Halls are now technically and financially impractical to

refurbish• Investment has been made to Hawthorns but they are now nearing

the end of their practical lifespan

Barnes Halls of Residence & Hawthorns Development

• 2 student accommodation blocks• Circa. 453 student bedrooms• 6 – 8 bedroom clusters with shared kitchen and social space• Laundrette and management hub facilities• Blocks will be lower than the Innovation Centre buildings• Block 1 - a mix of 3 & 4 storeys• Block 2 - 4 storeys• Car Parking

What are we proposing to build?

Where will the new halls be built?

What will they look like?

Block 2:

Block 1:

What will the rooms look like?

NB: Precise colours & finishes may change. Photograph is representational only.

To enable us to build the Halls of Residence we have to release the Hawthorns site to our developer partner (Seddons) so they can build houses for sale on the open market. KeeleUniversity will not own the Hawthorns site once it’s been fully developed.

• There have been numerous iterations of the scheme. The previous version was recently rejected because of key concerns relating to the Hawthorns conservation area.

• There are no concerns relating to the proposed accommodation at Barnes Halls. This part of the proposal remains the same.

• Feedback is being invited in relation to a revised Hawthorns layout which has been drafted to address key concerns regarding the conservation area.

• Feedback will inform the development of a final scheme.

What is the happening now?

• Low density development – the recently rejected scheme proposed 92 dwellings.• The current draft layout has less development.• Hawthorns House, The Villa and the Barn will be retained.• Maximum retention of trees & existing green spaces.• Provision of a School ‘drop off’ zone with parking. Clearly defined pedestrian routes.• Possible shop location.• Layout design takes reference from clustering of Keele Village properties. Elevation design

takes reference from Keele Village properties.

Hawthorns Proposal

Existing & Proposed Hawthorns Development

Current Site Layout Recently Rejected Layout

Draft Proposal; feedback required

• The Barnes accommodation designs will remain the same.

• The Hawthorns design will be developed using consultation feedback.

• A planning application will be submitted thereafter, hopefully before the end of October.

What next?

When will the new Barnes Halls be ready for Students to rent?• This all depends on the timetable and

outcome of the planning determination. We will not commence development of the Hawthorns site until the new Barnes Blocks have been built.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

What will be the rental cost of the Barnes Halls?• The rental costs will reflect ‘premier, en-suite’

accommodation in the context of alternative campus accommodation.

• Rental market conditions will also be a factor.• Precise costs will be set when we are in a

position to start taking lettings.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Will this reduce the amount of campus accommodation?• Once new Halls have been built there will be

c.450 more bedrooms on campus than current.• As the Hawthorns site is released the amount of

campus bedrooms will start to fall. Looking ahead, the implementation of the future accommodation strategy will identify the numbers of campus bedrooms to be maintained.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Has there been stakeholder consultation for these proposals?• Yes there has been extensive consultation – over time the designs have

been dramatically altered to accommodate the views of staff, students, Keele Village residents and other key stakeholders.

• Previous design proposals included an additional hall of residence at Horwood and care home at Hawthorns.

• We’ve also submitted the designs for scrutiny by independent architect design boards. Where possible we’ve taken on board feedback over the last 6 years.

• Feedback is now being invited to establish a final Hawthorns layout.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Some Frequently Asked QuestionsHave other proposals been considered for the Hawthorns site?• The proposals outlined in this presentation represent

the optimal solution for Keele University. • This follows extensive appraisals of the range of

refurbishment and redevelopment options. • Various options were assessed in the context of current

building constraints, student experience, budget constraints, timescale constraints, etc.

Some Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy isn’t it possible to refurbish the Hawthorns Halls?• It is technically and financially impractical to refurbish the Hawthorns

Halls. The university has invested as much as it can in to extend the life of the Hawthorns site but we’re ‘now very near the end of the line’.

• The main issue is the limitations of the building structures and the ratios of bathrooms and kitchens.

• We don’t have the funds to demolish & rebuild without a significant capital injection.

• Equally there is not enough time to procure such a scheme given the pressure to accommodate more students on campus. The proposals described herein are the only viable solution open to the University.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t it possible to redevelop the Hawthorns Halls?• It would not be possible to maintain the

number of campus bedrooms.• Increased building mass would not be

appropriate for the Hawthorns site.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Will Keele University still own the Hawthorns Site?• The only way we can afford to procure the Barnes

Halls is to release the Hawthorns site to our developer partner (Seddons) so they can build houses for sale on the open market.

• Keele University will not own the Hawthorns site once it’s been fully developed.

Some Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat if the appeal is unsuccessful?• We can’t afford to refurbish the Hawthorns Halls. Even

if we could identify an alternative viable solution (which there isn’t) we’d be facing a circa 8-10 years lead in period – during which student numbers are predicted to grow by 20%.

• The combination of increased student numbers and need to implement a phased decommissioning of the Hawthorns Halls would create a massive under supply of campus accommodation.

Some Frequently Asked QuestionsWill there be an opportunity for Students to become involved?• We will be engaging with the student community to

help develop the detailed designs for the Barnes Halls. • This will be a real opportunity to have a positive impact

on future student community.• We have started engaging with the student community

to shape the future accommodation strategy.