In Birmingham 2026 we have laid out an ambitious yet achievable plan. It is based around clear and challenging goals to raise the academic performance of the University by growing research activity and increasing our student and staff numbers over the next decade. Our plans for Pritchatts Park will play a key role in providing the infrastructure to realise this vision.
Pritchatts Park is currently comprised of 734 bedrooms and sits adjacent to the University and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It forms part of a wider residential portfolio of 5,183 bedrooms.
In addition to facilitating the increase in student numbers it is vitally important that we continue to invest in the student experience. It is also critical that we develop for a sustainable future – both operationally and financially. In these new plans we have set out to build an additional 496 bedrooms whilst refurbishing the existing 734 bedrooms at Pritchatts Park. The new bedrooms will be constructed in the form of townhouses, which will complement existing buildings in the surrounding area.
To help facilitate the consequential increase in staff numbers we also have clear plans to develop a 482-bay multi-storey car park alongside the residences project.
Our principles
This project will be undertaken with five key principles in mind:
1. Student Experience
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.
2. Minimal disruption
We endeavour to minimise disruption to students, academic activities, and to the local community. We will do this through careful phasing working with our student development partner.
3. Design Quality
The proposals will contribute positively towards the quality and setting of the whole of Pritchatts Park Village, in order to maintain its attractive part of the University’s estate and the wider neighbourhood.
4. Sustainability
The new and refurbished buildings will be highly sustainable. Appropriate energy and water saving and renewable energy solutions will be explored in addition to secure cycle parking, efficient waste segregation, and biodiversity enhancement in and around the site.
5. Long Term Partnership
The University intends to appoint a partner whose aspirations are aligned to its own in terms of continually striving to improve the student experience.
Initial Architect Drawings
Timeline for the project programme
| Date | Event |
|---|
| Spring 2019 |
Pre-planning and consultation with local community |
| Winter 2019 |
Gained planning permission from Birmingham City Council |
| Spring 2020 |
Issued OJEU notice for tender & contracts |
| Summer 2021 |
Financial close for preferred bidder and construction of both sites commences |
| Fall 2022 |
Earliest phase of residences welcome first students and car park opens to permit holders |
| Summer 2023-24 |
All existing residences at Pritchatts Park refurbished |