Developers look ahead to next phase of student village project (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Developers look ahead to next phase of student village project

9:11am Wednesday 10th November 2010 in Business By Chris Holland

The man overseeing Bradford’s regeneration plans said negotiations had started over the second phase of a £150 million ground-breaking student accommodation project.

Coun David Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy, confirmed the negotiations at an event to showcase the Listerhills Sustainable Student Village scheme and mark progress on phase one of the sustainable accommodation project for University of Bradford students Guests at the event included Mohammed Ikhlaq, of the Hyatt Group, who travelled from Abu Dhabi to attend.

Other members of the development team, including Mohammed Ishtiaq, of Mi7 Developments, and Martyn Bowes of Welbeck Land Ltd, were joined by key stakeholders at the first event that showcased the entire scheme.

Guests were welcomed by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Mark Cleary, and presentations were made by architects GWP and GB Building Solutions, giving an overview of the design and build, detailing the features that will allow the scheme to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘outstanding’.

The Listerhills SSV Ltd scheme will open in September next year and accommodate more than 1,000 students.

It represents the largest single-value student accommodation development in the UK and is the largest project of its type in terms of occupancy ever to be carried out in a single phase.

Coun Green said: “Bradford Council is delighted to see The Green progressing apace on site and we are already in detailed discussions with the developer, Mi7 Developments, over the second phase.

“The £150 million development shows the potential that exists within Bradford and how the Council and partners can work together to secure major investment in challenging times.”

Set in the heart of the city’s £750 million Learning Quarter, The Green has been designed to create a change in the way students live and interact with each other.

Technology-driven features will encourage students to be aware of energy consumption, and design ideas including central meet-and-eat areas, will nurture a move towards cohesive community living. The development is made up of 34 town houses and 103 apartments, positioned around a central water feature – a biodiversity pond which reuses rain water.

Each town house will have 12 bedrooms and six bathrooms, with a separate kitchen, dining room and living room with green space at the rear, emulating a typical family home layout and environment.

The Green sits within the wider Listerhills development and marks the beginning of a broader masterplan.

Alongside the student accommodation, planning permission has been obtained to develop managed workspace, academic, retail and healthcare facilities and an extensive public area which, once complete, has the capacity to create up to 700 new jobs.

Mohammed Ishtiaq, managing director of Mi7 Developments, said: “Listerhills SSV Ltd and Mi7 began to acquire and prepare development plans for this site at the university six years ago, and it is fantastic to see our ideas and vision become a reality with the creation of The Green.

“With the ongoing support and commitment from our key partners, Bradford Council, Yorkshire Forward and the university, we are now approaching the midway point of phase one, which is certainly considered the critical gateway to the wider scheme.

“With work soon starting on further phases, we will begin to see a transformation of this area which will have a lasting positive impact on the local economy and environment.”

Martyn Bowes, finance director of Welbeck Land Ltd, said: “As a London-based developer with interests across the UK, we continue to seek positive investment opportunities that support future economic growth, sustainability and regeneration, particularly in the health and education sectors.

“We have great belief in this scheme and recognise Bradford as a city with massive future potential and appeal that is now beginning to move out of the shadow set by its Manchester and Leeds neighbours with high-quality schemes such as The Green and City Park.”