University of York’s campus expansion scheme is one of the biggest capital developments in UK Higher Education in the last decade. The £200 million ($317 million) first phase of the development at Heslington East was unveiled on 11 October 2010. The 65-hectare project encompasses new accommodation for the departments of Computer Science and Theatre, Film and Television and the York Law and Management schools.
The Heslington East campus features two flagship buildings – the Ron Cooke Hub and The Catalyst – housing an integrated network of support for start-up and early-stage businesses. This will include incubator units and space for cutting edge research centres that will combine the innovation and expertise of academic staff, students and businesses.
The campus expansion scheme has been developed based on sustainable principles. It includes substantial green corridors, a lake, new woodland and extensive areas of wetland. All of these elements are designed to increase the biodiversity of the area. It includes recreational and cultural facilities that will be available for use by the wider community. The extended campus is nearly car-free with a range of measures in place to reduce traffic movements around the campus. The university is working with the City of York Council and other partners to secure a substantial overall reduction in traffic in the area.
The new academic buildings come into use a year after students moved into Goodricke College, 620-room student accommodation, on Heslington East.
Heslington East will feature businesses embedded alongside academic clusters focused on creative and technological industries. This close relationship will promote innovation and knowledge transfer while providing students with an unrivalled experience to develop entrepreneurial and technological skills.
Planning is already in progress for the second phase of the Heslington East expansion which will include at least one new college providing student accommodation, further academic buildings and a sports village featuring a swimming pool available for community use, fitness suite and all-weather sports pitches.
In May 2007, the university was granted permission to build an extension to its main campus, on arable land just east of the nearby village of Heslington. The land was removed from the green belt especially for the purpose of extending the university.
