University seeks approval for £23m expansion at Bognor campus
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The University of Chichester has sought detailed planning permission for the £22.8m growth of its campus in the town.
The university wants to create an engineering and digital technology park as well as student rooms on the site.
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Hide AdIf approved, it is expected to see another 1,200 to 1,500 on the campus to take the total to 2,500 in two years.
Susan Leeson, the university’s planning agent, says in a report: “The proposal is to erect a landmark building up to five storeys high on the corner of Felpham Way and Upper Bognor Road, facing on to the roundabout. The maximum height is 25m.
“The new state-of-the-art building is designed to integrate facilities for different user groups and incorporates viewing balconies and glass partitions to promote transparency and stimulate interest from visiting groups to help break down the stereotyped ideas of engineering by showing just how exciting engineering can be.”
A total of 33 new degree courses will be offered. As well as engineering and science, the proposed project will also see the creation of a department of creative and digital technologies.
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Hide AdThis will ‘enable the development in digital film production and will expand into the broader field of applied creative and digital technologies that are essential to the growing digital economy’, says Ms Leeson.
The subjects to be studied include motion capture for film and gaming, digital media design and screen writing.
Ms Leeson states: “It is anticipated that the training of graduates ready for employment can develop collaborative working to equip mainly locally recruited graduates with bespoke skill sets to offer a unique competitive advantage to local small medium-sized enterprises.”
The courses will be expected by the university to create some 350 extra direct jobs by 2023.
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Hide AdThe plans also include rooms for 289 students north of the technology park, which is planned for the Donkey Field to the east of the existing campus and opposite Butlin’s. A new access will be created off Felpham Way. An existing entrance on Mead Lane will be closed.
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