Edge Hill plan £220m expansion

Aug 17 2007

EDGE Hill University last night unveiled plans to spend £220m building a cutting edge campus, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area.

The Ormskirk-based university has just started a major consultation on plans to expand its 75-acre campus.

The plan will involve re- designing the campus and the likely relocation of existing sports facilities eastwards into 84 acres of adjoining land, bought last week for an undisclosed sum.

New buildings could also be added to green belt land next to its current site in St Helens Road.

Last night the university said the investment would provide high-class student accommodation, cutting-edge facilities and state-of-the art new teaching and learning buildings.

Officials have not revealed exactly what will be built nor how the new campus will be laid out.

They said they were waiting for the results of con- sultation over the coming months, after which a plann- ing application will be submitted.

A spokesman for the uni- versity said the new facilities would be paid for out of additional income created by expanding the student population from around 17,000 to 27,000 by 2020.

Seeking to address residents’ concerns he said the new campus would help reduce perceived adverse impact of students on the town’s population.

More student accommo- dation on site means less would live off campus and an improved offer at the student union would also mean less people leaving to socialise in Ormskirk and Liverpool, said the spokesman. It was also hoped that residents’ facilities could be improved.

The university stressed the development would be good for the town and surrounding areas.

According to the economic consultancy Regeneris, the number of jobs supported by the university is anticipated to rise from the current level of 2,650 to 4,850 in 2022, making it one of the fastest- growing businesses in West Lancashire.

On top of capital expendi- ture on the campus, Edge Hill’s yearly contribution to the North West economy is set to soar from £77m to £172m.

Edge Hill’s Vice Chancellor John Cater said: “This week we have received the results of a detailed study commis- sioned into the long-term economic impact of the university.

“The figures show that our growth will spell a massive financial boost for the area, its residents, retailers and local firms and contractors.

“Edge Hill will play an increasingly important role in the local and regional economy as a large and dynamic business that generates jobs and wealth on a major scale.”