Master plan for university campus approved

Planning, environmental and design consultancy Terence O'Rourke has secured outline planning permission for a master plan for the GBP160 million expansion of Tremough Campus, Penryn, Cornwall.

The campus is shared by University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter.

Terence O'Rourke produced the master plan as part of the universities' vision to create a world-class campus at Tremough.

Among the new facilities planned are:.

* Environment and Sustainability Institute: will become the hub of the University of Exeter's world-class research into the causes and consequences of environmental change.

* Academy for Innovation and Research: part of University College Falmouth's strategy to transform the way it supports the expansion of businesses and higher education in Cornwall.

To meet a pressing delivery programme, full planning permission has also been granted for a Performance Centre, which is now under construction in readiness for September 2010 when Dartington College of Arts moves to the campus.

The centre includes state of the art facilities for music, choreography and theatre students.

Tremough Innovation Centre, promoted by SWRDA, will also be on the site.

The centre gained full planning approval in October 2008 and construction will start this spring, with completion scheduled for autumn 2010.

It will provide workspace for over 60 businesses, including small start-ups and larger established companies.

To cater for rising student numbers the master plan provides for new student accommodation, bus interchange, welcome centre, sport and leisure facilities and learning support services.

There are currently around 2,200 students on the Tremough Campus, with numbers expected to reach up to 5,000 by 2016.

The expansion will create up to 428 new jobs in Cornwall, of which 365 will be in the local area.

University College Falmouth's Director of Estates and Facilities Management, Neal Barnes, said: "We are delighted that Kerrier District Council has approved the planning applications for the further expansion of the Tremough campus.

"This decision is an important milestone in the future development of University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter in Cornwall, and we thank everyone involved, not least those members of the community who engaged with our public consultation exercise, for the part they have played in it".

Terence O'Rourke Technical Director, Laraine Southwood, said: "The universities' vision for the campus is exciting but the timescales for implementation of the key projects are challenging.

"We have worked closely with Kerrier and Carrick district councils, Cornwall County Council, and the local community to secure outline planning consent within 12 months.

"The master plan will enable a sustainable, place-changing proposal that will bring county-wide benefits in the academic sector and support the regional priority to enhance the knowledge based economy.

Back to top