Students in Southend are to have their own purpose-built accommodation, as work gets underway on building the University of Essex’s new town centre residences.

The development, on the former South East Essex College site in London Road, will create 560 purpose built study bedrooms which includes 60 studio flats. There will also be a student common room and launderette facility, as well as accommodation for an on-site warden. The accommodation is due to be ready for students starting on courses within the Essex Business School, East 15 Acting School and the School of Health and Human Sciences, at the University’s Southend Campus, in October 2010.

The location, close to the University’s Southend Campus, will enable students to walk to classes, easing pressure on the town’s transport network.

Acquired by Hollybrook Homes, the London Road site will be developed by the company for the University. It will also include an underground public car park for over 300 cars, owned and operated by the Southend Borough Council, which is being jointly funded by Southend Borough Council, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: ‘The University is committed to providing high quality facilities in Southend. This new accommodation will help to attract more students to the town and complement our outstanding developments at the Gateway Building and the Clifftown Studios.’

This accommodation project represents a £36 million investment by the University in Southend. It will form part of the 'educational quarter' development, along with the existing South East Essex College building, the University's Gateway Building and new Cliftown Studios, and the proposed new educational development, Elmer Square, on the former Farringdon Road car park.

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