The first planned BREEAM Outstanding student accommodation in the UK has been granted detailed planning permission, as part of a £150m iconic sustainable student village in the heart of Bradford’s city centre.
The Listerhills Sustainable Student Village being built by Mi7 Developments, the project management company for the Hayaat Group, will set a precedent for future student community development, delivering high quality sustainable living for 1,000 students.
The scheme is part of the city’s impressive £750 million Learning Quarter which will provide a centre of excellence for the region through design, education and innovation.
The Sustainable Student Village is the landmark development within the wider £150m Listerhills scheme. Alongside the student accommodation, planning permission has already been obtained to deliver business innovation and managed workspace, academic and healthcare facilities and extensive public realm.
Mohammed Ishtiaq at Mi7 Developments said: “Receiving detailed planning permission is the culmination of three years of preparation, planning and hard work. It highlights the long-term commitment everyone involved in the project has to transforming Bradford into a 21st Century city."
Already demolition and refurbishment work has started on site. The first stage has seen removal of key buildings, which is to be followed by the ground-breaking student accommodation. Refurbishment work has also begun on an existing building which, when completed, will become serviced offices and incubator space for starter business units.
The scheme developed by Mi7 Developments, with significant support from Middle Eastern investors, has the potential to create over 700 jobs. Following the granting of detailed planning permission, the construction phase of the Sustainable Student Village and business units, alongside the academic and healthcare facilities, is expected to commence on site in autumn 09.
Mark Cleary, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bradford said: “Listerhills Sustainable Student Village will have a substantial impact on the university. The scheme complements our plans to create a 21st Century campus and the wider “ecoversity” initiative, which is intended to promote sustainability throughout all aspects of university life.
“As a leading academic institution, we strive to be at the forefront of excellence and innovation. Demonstrating sustainable living and learning highlights our forward-thinking approach and will put the university of the map.”
Councillor Adrian Naylor, Executive Member for Regeneration and Economy at Bradford Council, said: “This is really positive and exciting news, especially for those connected with education and regeneration, and is yet more evidence of the private sector being confident in Bradford and seeing it as a place where they can do business.”