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Equitix appointed preferred bidder to deliver a major scheme at the University of Leicester

08 Nov 2017

Equitix has been named as preferred bidder to deliver a major student accommodation PPP redevelopment project for the University of Leicester. 

The infrastructure fund manager, with over £2.5 billion under management, will work in partnership with Kier Construction to deliver new and improved student residences, a flexible new academic space and a multi-storey car park at Freemen’s Common which is adjacent to the University’s central campus.

This development forms a key part of the University’s wider estates transformation programme – a ten year vision to invest in teaching and research facilities, student accommodation and the public spaces around the University. 

The redevelopment at Freemen’s Common will enhance the facilities and experience on offer to students. Importantly, the scheme will protect the historic Freemen’s Cottages and will look to create new and improved landscaped areas, pedestrian and cycling routes.

Brita Sread, Director of Estates and Campus Services at the University of Leicester, commented: “We are delighted to bring Equitix and Kier Construction into the team to deliver this exciting project. They impressed us with their strong track record and their innovative initial designs for this site.

“The existing student residences at Freemen’s Common are coming to the end of their life, which presented an ideal opportunity for us to look at this area as a whole and how it could be redeveloped to provide a better range of accommodation. This project is a key part of our wider programme to transform our estate to provide the high-quality facilities needed to support the continued delivery of world-class academic activity and an excellent student experience.”

Ben Leech, Project Director for Equitix, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Kier Construction on the regeneration of the University of Leicester’s Freemen’s Common site. Equitix is a committed long-term investor in UK core infrastructure and, by supporting this project, we will be a key stakeholder in the transformation of the campus for many years, helping to enable the next generations of students to learn in a modern and first class environment. As our sixth student accommodation transaction and fifth University PPP partnership, we are delighted to be able to continue to work in support of the Higher Education sector in the UK.”

Pre-application consultation on the scheme will commence next month, with a planning submission expected before the end of the year. Subject to planning, construction would start in early summer 2018.