Over the next decade, the University of Birmingham’s aspiration is to be established in the top 50 of the world’s leading universities. This ambitious yet achievable plan has world-class research and outstanding global education at its core
The redevelopment of Pritchatts Park plays an integral role in helping the University to achieve this goal. To enhance the student and staff on-campus experience, the project will see some existing accommodation refurbished and hundreds of new, high-quality student homes built, along with a multi-storey car park. These new developments will also provide capacity for increasing student and staff numbers over the next decade.
Pritchatts Park Residence Project is our first ever zero carbon accommodation, giving students some of the best living spaces possible.
Building for the future
Sustainability is at the heart of the Pritchatts Park redevelopment. With the aim of building a better future for both people and the planet, the project will transform Pritchatts Park into the University’s first net-zero carbon accommodation operation.
As such, a huge part of the project is centred around the creation of highly energy-efficient townhouses. These new student homes will be equipped with double glazing to increase heat insulation and reduce the village’s dependence on fuel-heavy heating. In a bid to reduce energy consumption, there are also plans to instal solar panels on the roof of Pritchatts House to supply renewable, clean energy to the whole complex.
To add to the redevelopment’s green credentials, the site’s new car park will boast dozens of electric vehicles charging points for staff and students alike to use. It is hoped that this will encourage low-carbon, sustainable travel, which will contribute to the University’s goal of net-zero operational carbon emissions.
The Pritchatts Park Residence Project, rendered in CGI with artist impressions of the living spaces
A focus on inclusive design
As part of the University’s goal to invest in people, the Pritchatts Park redevelopment will focus on improving accessibility across accommodation. Pritchatts House Reception and social hub will have a remodelled entrance that’s suitable for all, whilst the hub will be transformed into a series of accessible and flexible spaces for a range of activities.
The redevelopment will also see thirteen new fully accessible student bedrooms built (doubling the total across our entire estate) to make Pritchatts Park a truly inclusive accommodation village for all.
It’s not just students who will benefit from the work. The site’s car park will feature an increased number of accessible and disability-friendly spaces for staff to use.
Investing in the local community
One of the most important requirements of the project is that it will work in harmony with the local area. As part of this, the student townhouses will be built to complement the style of buildings and architecture in the local area, with the development shielding much of the car park from view.
With increased housing for students and the development of a state-of-the-art campus where bright ideas flourish, the University hopes to become the destination of choice for the best students and researchers in the world. This will not only boost the University’s reputation but will also bring a wealth of benefits to Birmingham itself, including a boost to the local economy and the encouragement of more vibrant, diverse communities.
The University’s overriding objective is to enhance its attractiveness to students, and positively impact recruitment and retention, through providing high-quality housing that meets their needs and expectations, now and in the future.
The plans to expand Pritchatts Park will play a key role in providing the infrastructure to help deliver this vision. We are delighted to be working with Equans-Equitix.
Simon Bray, Director of Campus Services
The blue-shaded buildings marked with letters denote the new accommodation buildings, in addition to the MSCP (Multi-Storey Car Park) which is shaded purple. All orange-shaded buildings are the existing student accommodation estate and will benefit from minor internal refurbishment over the next five years. Pritchatts House and its associated 'The Hub' social space are due for significant internal improvements.
Our noise-mitigation commitment
We will endeavour to minimise disruption throughout the works. There will be clear traffic management and disruption management plans, as well as a dedicated staff on site to keep students informed throughout.
At all times the privacy of students will be considered. Where any students bedrooms are looking out onto the construction site solid hoarding will be provided. This solid hoarding will also act as a noise barrier. When opening up site in the morning the site team will be considerate, so shouting and any loud noises will be kept to a minimum particularly prior to the commencement of workAll other site areas will be fenced or hoarded off to help with student privacy and safety. We are keen to protect the woodland setting at Pritchatts Park as much as possible and the way we work will take this into account.
During exam weeks the project team will actively muffle noisy activities and implement plans to carry out noisy activities outside of these dates where possible.
Hours of work
Hours of work will be 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday with Saturdays 8am to 1.30pm. The works themselves will be generally limited to these times, with workers on site slightly before and after these times to open and close the site.
These hours will be adjusted as necessary, and communicated accordingly.
Schedule of works
Following preliminary works in December 2021, the main construction phase of the redevelopment will begin in January 2022. The project is currently on track to be complete by September 2024.
| Construction period | Summary of works |
|---|
| Winter 2022 – Autumn 2023 |
First phase of new townhouse construction (Pritchatts Road) and installation of site-wide infrastructure |
| Spring 2022 – Autumn 2023 |
Construction of new multi-storey carpark and substation, plus the refurbishment of Pritchatts House |
| Spring 2022 – Autumn 2024 |
Second phase of townhouse construction (Ashcroft) |
| Summer 2022 |
Minor refurbishment of existing accommodation |
| Summer 2023 |
Minor refurbishment of existing accommodation |
Please note that these construction windows are planned and are subject to change.
Site construction plan map [PDF - 1.8MB]
Multi-storey Car Park
From 4 October, the Pritchatts Park Car Park will be closed to make way for the construction of a brand-new Multi-storey Car Park (MSCP).
The new MSCP will boast more spaces for blue badge users and dozens of electric vehicle charging points for staff and students alike to use. As well as making it easier for staff to park on campus, the MSCP will help to encourage sustainable, low-carbon travel, supporting the University’s goal of net-zero operational carbon emissions. The MSCP will open in 2023.
There are plenty of alternative car parking options whilst Pritchatts is out of action. You can find the latest information from Car Parking Services on the Intranet. This is also a great opportunity to leave the car at home; all rail operators now offer Flexi Season Tickets, including West Midlands Railway.
Last updated: Friday 4 February 2022