University of Chichester, Dual Campus Masterplan

Location
Sussex
Client
University of Chichester
Value
Approx. £70m
Completion
2009

Masterplans for the development of two university campuses

Stride Treglown Management Ltd completed a dual campus Masterplan for the University of Chichester in March 2009 covering both their Chichester and Bognor Regis Campuses.  This scheme also involved the Stride Treglown Town Planning team. The Masterplans are to identify potential development areas as well to identify opportunities to deliver their ten year Estates strategy. In the early stages of the commission (October 2008) the multi-disciplinary project team, lead by Stride Treglown, analysed both Campuses in detail, identifying policy, environmental, transportation and built fabric constraints, such as conservation area designations and listed buildings.

Early consultation with internal and external “stakeholders” identified ways of maximising the status and weight of the University Masterplan in future decision making terms, taking account of the Councils’ Local Development Framework (LDF) timetable and the timescale of the Masterplan.

The Masterplan presents an integrated arrangement of refurbished buildings together with new academic, residential, recreational and support buildings that respond to on-site constraints and opportunities.


Landscape Architecture

Stride Treglown Landscape in conjunction with the planning team, completed a dual campus Masterplan for the University of Chichester in March 2009 covering both their Chichester and Bognor Regis Campuses.

The University is embarking upon a programme which will expand and relocate a number of courses between the two sites, therefore resulting in greater operational efficiencies. The landscape team assessed the quality of existing external public realm and the landscape characteristics. One of the University’s main aims is to raise the profile and stature of the institution locally and nationally by improving the built environment and landscape on both sites on of its two Campuses.

In the early stages of the commission (October 2008) the multi-disciplinary project team, lead by Stride Treglown planning and landscape, analysed both Campuses in detail, identifying policy, environmental, transportation and built fabric constraints, such as conservation area designations and listed building status.

The results of our analysis and emerging opportunities were discussed with both local planning authorities in respect of each campus, where positive feedback both to the objectives of the masterplan and the underlying methodology were received.

This early consultation identified a way of maximizing the status and weight of the University Masterplan in future decision making terms, taking account of the Councils’ Local Development Framework (LDF) timetable and the timescale for production of the Masterplan.

This also ensured that both Councils had the opportunity to “sign up to” a positive policy context for the evolution of the Masterplan. The Masterplan responds to the existing character of the campuses and associated on-site constraints and opportunities. It is presented within a comprehensive landscape strategy which helps to integrate the arrangement of refurbished buildings, together with new academic, residential, recreational and support buildings.

Legibility is improved through better circulation and the provision of structural landscape which enhances open spaces and highlights internal viewpoints. An overall strategy of street furniture and hard surface materials also unifies the masterplan.

The plans represent a sound development framework which will lead to informed decisions about future capital expenditure programmes, prioritisation of construction and the creation of attractive, usable spaces that will give a focus and heart to each campus. Each milestone of the masterplan process was achieved within tight timescales, with the final masterplan presentation delivered to University Governors at the end of March 2009.