Former Vice-Chancellor lays foundation stone to mark redevelopment of student accommodation
Former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University Professor Sir Clive Booth has laid a foundation stone to mark the redevelopment of the Clive Booth Student Village that will benefit students and the local community.
Sir Clive unveiled the stone on Thursday 15 June 2023, at the site in Headington, Oxford, which will offer high quality accommodation facilities for future students at the University.
It is currently expected that the first phase of the redevelopment, being constructed by Morgan Sindall, will provide new rooms for use in the 2023-24 academic year. Once complete, the redevelopment is set to provide approximately 1,000 new high-quality rooms for the site, with enhanced social and outdoor spaces.
As well as helping to ensure more students are able to live in University accommodation close to the Headington Campus, the redevelopment, designed by architects MICA, will provide an improved range of accommodation options across residences to suit affordability and personal living preferences
Sir Clive Booth, who served as Vice-Chancellor for Oxford Brookes from 1992 until 1997, said: “I was delighted to be asked to lay the foundation stone at Clive Booth Student Village today. As a former Vice-Chancellor or Oxford Brookes, I know the tremendous value the University brings to teaching and learning, research, partnership work, and the wider community. The provision of modern accommodation close to campus is an important element of ensuring students can continue to thrive and go on to make a positive impact after their studies. I have no doubt that the next generation of students will value the fantastic new facilities and spaces it will bring.”
Professor Sir Clive Booth lays the foundation stone. Image credited to Morgan Sindall.
Engagement with the local Oxford community
Professor Alistair Fitt, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University said: “We were pleased to welcome Professor Sir Clive Booth back to Oxford Brookes today to lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village.
“The transformation of the accommodation site will provide high-quality rooms and social spaces for our students within a picturesque setting near to our Headington Campus. It will also benefit the local community by reducing pressure on the Oxford housing supply by allowing more students to live in student accommodation on our estate. We look forward to students moving into the fantastic new spaces over the coming years and it was entirely fitting that this stage of the redevelopment was marked by the man after whom the site is named.”
The construction company for the redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village is Morgan Sindall.
James York, who is Area Director for Thames Valley, said: ”It is fantastic to see such a large, complex and important project for Oxford Brookes University progressing. It is a testament to the tenacity of their team and the collaborative approach we have all had since we were engaged through the Southern Construction Framework. Seeing teams work together towards one goal like this makes me extremely proud, this progress is a due to a combination of the hard work of our team on site, a brilliant client team, and the guiding principles of the framework.”
Further information on the redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village.
Professor Sir Clive Booth, Professor Alistair Fitt, and James York, Area Director for Morgan Sindall. Image credited to Morgan Sindall.