Southampton Uni Plans New Vibrant Student Community

People gathered at an outdoor campus event with tents and banners on a landscaped walkway in front of a large brick building — An architect's drawing of the new-look Stoneham Square

Plans to create new student accommodation at the University of Southampton's Wessex Lane campus will progress, with a planning application due to be submitted this week.

Redevelopment of South Stoneham and Connaught Halls will provide 1,100 additional student beds as part of the University's plans to create much-needed accommodation in the city.

The existing site will be transformed to create three new vibrant communities set within attractive parkland.

A quad at Connaught Halls will enhance the feeling of community on the site, while South Stoneham will form the centrepiece of the development, with a newly created landscaped public square.

Grade II listed South Stoneham House will be carefully restored and brought back into use in a way that will protect and celebrate the building's heritage.

Kevin Argent, the University's Executive Director of Estates and Facilities, said: "We are committed to sustainable investment and development of our estate to ensure we are fit for the future and able to meet our targets for growth, while providing high quality, memorable experiences for our students.

"Our exciting plans for Wessex Lane will reinvigorate our existing buildings to provide modern facilities for our entire community, whilst maintaining the infrastructure of our historic buildings."

He added: "After careful consideration and consultation, development of student accommodation at Avenue campus will not be pursued at this time. This allows us to focus on other estates priorities including the development of Wessex Lane, the completion of our North East Quadrant and the renovation of Nuffield Theatre."

A courtyard walkway with landscaped planting, seating areas, and people walking between modern brick buildings — A central courtyard would create a vibrant community atmosphere at South Stoneham

The Aspire consortium has been appointed as the University of Southampton's preferred student housing partner, marking the beginning of a 50-year programme dedicated to improving the student living experience.

By 2029, the partnership will deliver new high-quality student beds at the Connaught and South Stoneham campuses, undertake the modernisation of 399 rooms at Archers Road, and complete a full restoration of Stoneham House into a landmark historic living and learning space for students.

For more: Wessex Lane halls development

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