Lancaster University Eco Residences scheme

The University Partnerships Programme (UPP), the country’s leading university partner in student accommodation, has reached financial close with Lancaster University on Phase IV of the university’s Residences Programme. The new phase will mark the first use of the sustainable Accent/UPP model for student residences and extends UPP and Lancaster University’s partnership, which was established in 2003.

The latest phase in the partnership between Lancaster University and UPP will result in the development of a further 950 rooms. This includes new build four-storey town houses, cluster flats and family flats using the new, eco-friendly UPP/Accent model, as well as 176 refurbished rooms and 13 refurbished flats in the existing County College building. UPP will manage the facilities for 48 years. The deal, which also involved refinancing the first three phases and extending the leases by 10 years, has also allowed the university to release a significant amount of capital, to be reinvested back into the institution.

With the Accent/UPP model, UPP is enshrining sustainability as a key principle from the start of building to completion of student accommodation projects and beyond. Timber from sustainable managed forests is being used for the building’s superstructure, reducing the carbon-footprint of the build by 30% when compared to a traditional scheme.

The model places an emphasis on good, simple planning. The manufacturing of the timber frames takes place off site, which contributes to reducing the amount of construction materials required and waste generated during the build. Equally, this method of construction is significantly quicker than traditional concrete builds: with construction having begun in March 2007, 500 rooms will be completed by end December 2007.

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