Building plans for new University of Peterborough unveiled to the public
Detailed proposals for a new University of Peterborough will be revealed to the public for the first time at a three day showcase event in February
The University of Peterborough plans, including building designs, floor plans and an artist’s impression of the future University campus, will be on display at Peterborough Cathedral at the following times:
4th February – 3pm – 7pm
5th February – 2pm – 7pm
6th February – 2pm – 7pm
The public are urged to drop in and give their views on the plans and members of the project team will be on hand to talk them through. Feedback on the proposals is being sought ahead of planning permission application, expected to be submitted in early Spring.
The University of Peterborough, a new technical university, is being driven forward by James Palmer, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, in collaboration with Peterborough City Council.
Mayor James Palmer said:
“I am delighted to pull up the curtain on plans for a new technical university in Peterborough, a cause close to my heart and what will be a major driver for economic growth across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas.
“Peterborough has seen rapid expansion in both population and employment levels in recent years. Skills growth, however, has not kept up and skills levels in Peterborough are currently in the bottom 10% of the country. There simply aren’t enough workers with the right skills for businesses in Peterborough to thrive and, as a result, the affluence of the area has declined.
“Unlike traditional universities that offer academic learning only, the University of Peterborough will provide students with the necessary training and skills to be directly successful in a range of employment disciplines. What’s more, the University will deliver courses that are targeted specifically towards industries across Peterborough where demand currently outstrips availability of skilled workers, creating a pipeline of future employees.
“The University of Peterborough will deliver a step-change in life chances for people in Peterborough and beyond, helping to improve and retain the skills of people in the region while also bringing additional opportunity and prosperity to the area.”
Councillor John Holdich, Leader of Peterborough City Council and Deputy Mayor of the Combined Authority, said:
“This is a really exciting step forward in our plans to deliver a fully-fledged university in Peterborough. The event is a chance for people to visualise how the university buildings might look and I would encourage people to come along and view the designs and tell us what they think, prior to the planning application being finalised.
“A dedicated University of Peterborough will result in significant economic benefit for the whole city and improve educational opportunities and career prospects for young people locally and across the region. In turn it will stop our talented young people from leaving to build their lives elsewhere and ensure that our businesses have a good crop of people with the skills and talent they need to apply for jobs.
“It will bring great opportunities for our residents, our businesses and for the city as a whole as we will become an even more attractive place to live, work and to set up in business.”
The University of Peterborough is on track to open its doors to its first 2,000 students in 2022. By 2030, it is expected to offer courses for up to 12,500 students.
The first three faculties of the University are set to include business, innovation entrepreneurship and professional services; information technology, digital and creative services and Agri-tech and environmental services.
Planned future faculties include health and social care, engineering, manufacturing and advanced manufacturing.
Courses will be delivered through a mixture of on campus lessons, in-work training and apprenticeships, with distance learning to improve accessibility and widen participation.
The University will work with local industry and businesses to help shape the curriculum and secure opportunities to maximise the employability of its students.