Artist's impression of the Meadows Phase 2 development

Plans are being drawn up to build a new development of student bedrooms in the heart of the University’s Colchester Campus to support our ambitious growth plans.

With record numbers of students studying at Essex, the University is planning for 50 per cent growth over five years.

The latest plans would provide 600 new en-suite study bedrooms on land allocated for new student residences on the University’s Knowledge Gateway site. The development would ensure the University had sufficient accommodation for all first-year students to be offered a place to live on campus in 2017.

The University is working with development partner, Uliving, which currently manages its University Quays and Meadows accommodation, to prepare plans to be submitted to Colchester Borough Council. The University and Uliving welcome views from local residents and community groups on the plans.

Members of the community are invited to view and comment on the plans for the Meadows Phase 2 development at a public exhibition in The Hexagon on the Colchester Campus on Tuesday 15 September between 6pm and 8pm. Members of the development team will be on hand to answer questions and explain the plans. Alongside the plans for The Meadows, the University’s 50th anniversary Something Fierce exhibition will also be on display, highlighting how the architecture and people of the University have shaped the local area.

University Registrar Bryn Morris explained: “Our ambitious expansion plans are vital to maintaining and enhancing our international reputation for excellence. We have invested £200 million in developing new living and learning spaces on our campuses, with our new Silberrad Student Centre, Library extension and new Essex Business School buildings opening earlier this year.

"The development of further student residences on our Colchester Campus is the next step in securing the future success of the University.”