University gets green light for £7m refurbishment

The works include a reconfiguration of internal spaces to teaching and learning needs

A university has been given the green light to press ahead with a £7m building refurbishment to provide a “cutting-edge” facility.

Solent University in Southampton will use funding from the Department of Education to carry out the work on the Sir Christopher Cockerell Building.

The work at the campus in East Park Terrace is expected to be completed by spring next year.

Southampton City Council planners recently confirmed the scheme could be carried out through permitted development without the need for full planning permission.

Prof James Knowles, Solent University vice-chancellor, said: “Following a successful application led by Solent University, Southampton, backed by more than £13m funding from the Department for Education, the South Coast Institute of Technology was officially launched in November 2022.

“As part of this, we are delighted to be refurbishing the Sir Christopher Cockerell building to create a new £7m state-of-the-art teaching facility.

"The new space, due to complete in spring 2025, will include a welding workshop, marine labs, and towing and stability tanks.”

A letter submitted to the council’s planning department by agents Turley said the Sir Christopher Cockerell Building is currently used as an engineering workshop and laboratory spaces for the Department of Science and Engineering.

The works include a reconfiguration of internal spaces to teaching and learning needs, a new roof and replacing some of the external wall cladding.

'Cutting-edge'

The replacement roof structure is needed due to “deficiencies of the existing panels which allow water into the building, the letter from Turley says.

Discussing the positive impact of the refurbishment, Prof Knowles said: “The project will have a huge benefit for both students and the wider community by focusing on up-skilling the region with today’s most sought-after skills.

“It will give students the opportunity to learn in a cutting-edge facility, and it will respond to the needs of employers by boosting the creation of a highly skilled workforce for Southampton and nationally.”

Sir Christopher was the inventor of the hovercraft after developing the view a cushion of air could make boats faster due to reduced friction.

His initial tests in the 1950s reportedly involved using empty tin cans and a vacuum cleaner.

The Cambridge-born engineer refined his designs for the form of transport with a team while living in Hythe having started this project in East Anglia.

His work on developing the hovercraft in the town on the shore of Southampton Water was recognised with a blue plaque in 2022.