Halls to be powered by University energy centre

The new halls of residence complexes at Oxford Brookes University’s Harcourt Hill Campus will incorporate a new energy centre, which will provide 20 per cent of the building’s power requirements, it has been announced.

The new energy centre will supply hot water and heating to all 318 bedrooms and just under a quarter of the electricity required for the two accommodation blocks, via gas boilers and a combined heat and power unit. 

The development is being managed by The Leadbitter Group, which has provided the University with more than 1,500 student accommodation bedrooms over the last decade.

Commenting on the development, Paul Large, Registrar said Oxford Brookes is looking to provide modern and sustainable campuses with contemporary student residences. “Over the last 10 years we have worked on several projects with the Leadbitter Group and we look forward to welcoming students to the quality accommodation currently under construction at Harcourt Hill.''
 
The expansion continues from the completion of a similar development at Morrell Hall in 2010 and the new Postgraduate Centre earlier this year.

Work is on schedule to be completed by Summer 2012.
 
Leadbitter have extensive experience of building university accommodation with the company citing its annual turn-over at £400m. However the affordable housing and construction firm saw pre-tax profit fall by almost half in 2010.