University's student village plans approved

The student village would be built at the university's Stoke-on-Trent campus

Plans for a new student village at a university have been granted planning permission.

The development at Staffordshire University’s campus in Stoke-on-Trent, will see more than 700 student rooms built in a mix of blocks and townhouses.

The Clarice Cliff Court accommodation at the site, which houses 300 students, is also set to be refurbished.

The scheme has been approved by Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s planning committee and will now go before the university’s board of governors for sign-off.

Professor Martin Jones, vice-chancellor and chief executive at Staffordshire University, said the development, on Leek Road, would help to create a vibrant area.

“The proposal we submitted reflect our ambition to completely transform the student experience at the university and provide more high-quality accommodation with enhanced service provisions and student social spaces,” he said.

The university said the development should be finished in 2026

As well as the revamped accommodation, a village hub is included in the plans, to provide a wellbeing space, study areas, a rooftop terrace and a place to host events.

The new development would be linked to the Leek Road campus via a new pedestrian bridge.

The university said construction of the village should be finished in 2026.

Following its completion, the existing accommodation would be demolished for new parkland and open spaces, including an 800-metre fitness loop around the student village.