UCLan set for December start on £8m social spaces

New social spaces for the University of Central Lancashire could be completed by autumn 2017 after planning permission was granted by Preston City Council.

Work on the £8.15m scheme, one of the first projects within the University’s £200m masterplan, is set to start in early December.

Designed by AHR Architects, the 10,000 sq ft social spaces will further improve the campus experience for students, encouraging people to remain on campus for longer.

Foster Building will be extended to include areas for break-out activities and informal spaces for social learning.

Design features will include glass roofs and an indoor ‘hidden’ garden, as well as moveable furniture for students to reconfigure the space as suited to their needs.

A similar facility will also be created linking together Harrington and Greenbank buildings, and both are being developed with the Students’ Union.

Michael Ahern, chief operating officer for UCLan, said: “The social spaces project is one of several designed to achieve our aim of creating a connected, vibrant campus in the heart of the city. The new facilities will mean that staff and students have all the more reason to visit and stay on campus for longer, and will increase interaction and collaboration between UCLan staff and the student community.

“The approval is another important milestone for our masterplan and we look forward to work beginning on site over the coming weeks.”