Go-ahead for Borough Road university development

Southwark Council's planning committee last week granted planning permission for the new buildings on the university's campus close to the Elephant & Castle.

"We're delighted with the decision of the committee to allow these important schemes to be built," says Peter Holliday, director of strategic development.

He added: "The buildings have been developed and designed in close consultation with students, staff and the local community and we believe that these developments will benefit the University and bring very tangible benefits for local people.

"The buildings will kick-start our 15-year estate strategy and contribute to the wider regeneration of Elephant & Castle to bring life and vibrancy back into areas that have remained derelict and untapped for far too long."

The £29 million 'Keyworth II' on Keyworth Street is a striking eight-storey building designed by Grimshaw, replacing the existing Students' Union building.

It will provide teaching facilities for the university's Faculty of Health & Social Care, and the departments of Education and Sports & Exercise Science. It will also include mock-up hospital wards, specialist rooms for training nurses and medical staff, and lecture theatres.

The second building will be built on the site of the former presbyterian chapel at the corner of Rotary Street and Borough Road. The two facades of the listed chapel will be retained.

Designed by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands the £11 million four-storey building will comprise a student centre and other student support facilities and a primary care centre which will become the new home for the well-regarded Princess Street Group Practice.

Work is due to start early next year with both buildings due to be completed by the end of 2008.