The University has finalised a partnership agreement with Balfour Beatty, our partner for the redevelopment of the East Slope, for building and operating West Slope – a redevelopment of a significant part of our campus to deliver nearly 1,900 student bedrooms as well as other key facilities. West Slope sits alongside the Network Replacement Programme and Student Information System as one of the key transformational projects in the University’s current Capital Programme.
Over the last 18 months, in preparation for the main construction work we have prepared the site by demolishing the original residences, which were no longer fit for purpose and in exceptionally poor condition. We are close to completion of a significant programme to upgrade key utilities such as gas, water and electricity, ensuring their resilience for both our existing campus and the new West Slope development. In addition, a new children’s playground, laundrette, basketball court and student garden have been delivered, and our Security Team and Print Unit have relocated.
The project has been guided by both our commitments to accessibility for all and our aspirations to be one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the UK. West Slope will be rated Excellent under the environmental building standard BREEAM. This measures both the sustainability of the final buildings, which will include the use of solar panels, water recycling and green roofs, and the materials and processes used during their construction, for instance the material produced from the demolition work will be reused onsite.
West Slope will transform the landscape and experience of our campus. As well as 51 new accessible bedrooms, three of which will be fully adaptable with carers accommodation, outdoor lifts and gently inclined walkways with resting places will make our campus easier to navigate, and our new Health and Wellbeing Centre, supermarket and café will be fully accessible to all.
The new residences, which includes single-bedroom accommodation and much needed 2-bedroom family accommodation, will significantly enhance the student experience here at Sussex, and the Health and Wellbeing Centre, larger supermarket and catering facilities will improve our campus for students, staff and visitors alike. Construction will start in 2024, with the first new student accommodation and the Health and Wellbeing Centre opening in time for the academic year 2026/27, with more accommodation, catering and retail facilities opening over the following two years.
Tim Westlake, Chief Operating Officer said: ‘The West Slope development is critical to the future success of our campus university, with new student accommodation and amenities set to enhance our estate and ensure all new students are able to live on campus if they wish. When complete, the development will transform the centre of our campus and provide more green space for staff and students to enjoy. This is an important milestone for the University, and I am delighted that we are now able to deliver on this important element of the University’s Capital Programme. The University is absolutely delighted to have secured such significant investment in Sussex and look forward to working in partnership with Balfour Beatty to delivering West Slope.’
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