In Birmingham 2026, we laid out an ambitious yet achievable plan to raise the academic profile of the University by increasing staff and student numbers over the next decade. The redevelopment of Pritchatts Park will play an integral role in helping the University to achieve this. The project will see hundreds of new high-quality student homes built and refurbished, along with a multi-storey car park, to enhance the student and staff on-campus experience.
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 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.
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 ENGIE and Equitix.
Simon Bray, Director of Campus Services
Work is set to begin on the project this autumn, with the first phase of completion due by summer 2023. An updated project timeline will be provided on this page in the coming weeks.
Last updated: Wednesday 7 July 2021