New images for Wolverhampton research centre revealed
These new pictures show what a state-of-the-art research and innovation centre in Wolverhampton could look like.
The images for the University of Wolverhampton's National Brownfield Institute, produced by Associated Architects, were revealed as part of an annual estates showcase in Cannes.
The site will be home to a national policy institute, which will inform and guide development over brownfield sites – giving specialist advice on dealing with contaminated land, repurposing building, and looking at new construction methods such as modular housing.
The institute, which will feature commercial testing facilities and lab space, will form part of the university's £100m Springfield Campus development.
It comes after an announcement that a 10 acre residential development next to the campus will be turned into 1,100 new homes.
The £185 million development will see the homes built on the Brewers Yard site, which will will see luxury and affordable homes to rent and buy, high rise blocks, tree-lined walkways and shops and restaurants
Professor Geoff Layer, vice-chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “We’re really excited to see what this ground-breaking Institute will look like. It will complement the site and vision for Springfield as a hub for excellence in construction and the built environment on a national and even international scale.
“The National Brownfield Institute will be integral to the way we look at land remediation and regeneration across the Black Country and the UK and will play a pivotal part in unlocking industrial land to help tackle the housing shortage in our towns and cities.
“We also very much welcome announcement about the neighbouring Brewers Yard development – it will help totally transform the Springfield area into a vibrant city centre location.”
The Brewers Yard scheme is also set to deliver hundreds of permanent new jobs, more than 1,000 construction jobs, and built environment apprenticeship and training opportunities for University of Wolverhampton students.
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city economy, said: “It is wonderful to see the former Springfield Brewery site growing into the reality of a European-leading Built Environment education campus.
“The National Brownfield Institute to be built on the campus is part of plans to make the Wolverhampton a UK urban innovation hub. This will help get more former industrial land ready for development and raise the skills bar in this sector.
“The council’s latest announcement of the major residential development, The Brewers Yard, on brownfield land neighbouring Springfield Campus, fits hand in hand with this vision.
“It is all part of more than £3.7 billion of investment on site or planned in our city – a city of opportunity.”
It comes a week after it was announced the university's Telford Innovation Campus in Priorslee would expand and offer new nursing courses.
Plans were also unveiled by Telford and Wrekin Council and the University of Wolverhampton to create a new 1,000 student university institute for Southwater.
