New Engineering Building will open door to growth and investment
The University’s planning application for the New Engineering Building on the Jessop East site was approved by members of the city council’s planning committee on 17 December.
The decision brings the start of work on the £81 million state-of-the-art building one step closer.
The building will open the door to growth and investment, making a huge contribution to the Sheffield and regional economy as well as providing staff and students with the environment they need to grow and thrive in.
That was the message from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Keith Burnett, on hearing that the planning application for the development had been successful. The new development will create around 500 jobs during the construction phase alone and is predicted to bring £44.5 million into the local economy during the construction phase and first year of operation, with an ongoing annual contribution to Sheffield’s economy of £20.6 million.
Professor Burnett praised the city council’s planning officers for their efforts in working with the University team for more than a year to shape the plans for the building, which is the centrepiece of the University’s development plans over the next decade, and thanked members of the city council for their support for this vital new building.
He said: “We recognise that we have been given a wonderful opportunity to create a fitting legacy for the future, an opportunity we take very seriously indeed. We are committed to investing in a high quality, stunning building which will not only be the centrepiece for the Faculty of Engineering’s continued success, but will also be a source of enormous pride for the city.
“We are grateful for the support we have received from a wide range of individuals and organisations in helping us develop this proposal over the past year, and today’s news is good for the University, good for the city and good for the people of Sheffield, bringing a much needed economic boost.”
Professor Mike Hounslow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Engineering, said the decision was excellent news, not just for the University, but for the city and the city region:
“The Faculty of Engineering continues to grow and to attract students from all over the UK and beyond because of our reputation for top class teaching and research. The research we carry out in the Faculty is translated into practical applications at our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, attracting world-class companies such as Boeing, Rolls Royce and Siemens to carry out their business here.
“We now await final sign off from the Secretary of State to approve the demolition of the Edwardian extension to the Jessop Hospital but, with the council’s support, we are optimistic that the case for approval has been fully made.
“This decision not only means we can soon start work on our fantastic new building, but also makes it possible for us to carry out an ambitious refurbishment programme to bring all our engineering estate up to the standard our staff and students deserve.”
Staff and students will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities which will deliver modern interdisciplinary teaching in a highly sustainable building with solar and rain water harvesting. The building will be open to the people of Sheffield, and its design will celebrate the city’s engineering excellence and heritage.
The New Engineering Building is the lynchpin of the University’s estate plan for the next 5-10 years and unlocks the University’s capacity to deliver value in dedicated engineering facilities, flexible learning spaces incorporating new lecture theatres, new large and small teaching rooms and independent study spaces.
For staff and students who would like to see more of what the new building could look like a dedicated display of the plans is being created on D Floor of the Mappin Building, next to St George’s café, or click here to watch a video.
Construction on the new development is expected to begin in 2013, with the building fully operational by 2016. A total of 1,600 additional engineering students are expected by 2020 with around 400 additional staff recruited to support that growth.