Work Starts on University Accommodation Building
The construction of a new student accommodation building and commercial unit in the heart of Bournemouth started officially with a ceremonial sod cutting.
Lynda Price, Chairman of Western Challenge Housing Association, the organisation that has funded the scheme, put on her hard hat and hi-visibility jacket to formally launch the building project at Madeira Road during a ceremony attended by university officials, representatives of Spectrum Housing Group (the parent company of both Western Challenge HA and Signpost Homes Ltd) and the Leadbitter Group.
The Leadbitter Group is constructing the apartment building, which will house 210 students for Bournemouth University. The project follows the successful completion of a similar project, Lyme Regis House, in nearby Holdenhurst Road for Signpost Homes Ltd..
Dave Cook, Regional Director of Leadbitter’s Southern Housing and Construction Division, said: “We are delighted to be undertaking another project on behalf of Spectrum Housing Group. Having already completed Lyme Regis House, we are confident that we will be able to deliver this high quality student accommodation to the Client’s complete satisfaction and I am sure that our partnership will continue to go from strength to strength.
“In recent years, Leadbitter has established an excellent reputation in Bournemouth, especially within the education sector. For the University, we have already completed Lyme Regis House and are currently working on its fantastic new Kimmeridge Library. We have also created the Kinson Hub, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and Bournemouth Borough Council, and have also recently undertaken an extension to Kingsleigh School in Kinson.”
Jitinder Takhar, Group Development Director for Spectrum Housing Group said: “Madeira Road will provide Bournemouth University students with excellent accommodation and really complements our student portfolio in Bournemouth. We are very proud that Bournemouth University has chosen to work with us once again to provide homes for their students.”
Dr Michael Humphreys, Director of Estates & IT Services of Bournemouth University said: “We are delighted to see this new and exciting development going ahead, with our partners from Spectrum Housing Group. The University is keen to be able to offer more high quality bedspaces to our undergraduates, postgraduates and international students, within easy reach of university buildings and all the facilities offered by Bournemouth town.”
Ends with photo left to right: Lynda Price, Chairman of Western Challenge Housing Association (in JCB) From left: Ralph Williams, Senior Business Development Manager, Signpost Homes Ltd; Rob Speirs, Construction Director, Leadbitter Group; Dave Cook, Regional Director, Leadbitter Group; Steve Trave, Divisional Director, Signpost Homes Ltd; Jitinder Takhar, Group Director of Development, Spectrum Housing Group; Stuart Laird, Facilities Manager, Bournemouth University; Charles Elder, Press & Public Relations Manager, Bournemouth University and Rob Webber, Group Director of Operations, Spectrum Housing Group.