Ipswich: Fresh boost for town as UCS announces “stunning” expansion project
IPSWICH: Just days after the Star’s Beacon Town conference highlighted the need to improve our town, a massive investment has been made in the future of UCS.
The town’s university has bought the site of the former Shed 8, between the Neptune Marina flats and the James Hehir and Athena Hall buildings.
This will be developed in future years as a major new building for the university – although the exact use of the site has yet to be decided.
At present it is used as a car park, and that is likely to continue for the immediate future.
While planning is at an early stage, the site will be used to develop the university’s long-term academic strategy.
It will allow UCS to offer the full range of educational and cultural opportunities within Suffolk and to be a key element of the local economy.
Mike Saks, the provost of UCS, said: “This is a major milestone for UCS which secures our future on the Ipswich Waterfront.
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It will underpin our future development and enable us to develop an even better campus environment which will allow us to grow, achieve our ambitions, and offer more opportunities for the people of Suffolk and beyond.”
The new development is likely to include academic facilities, but could also include a conference centre and/or student accommodation.
The Ipswich Star understands that UCS is also considering including some space for shops, bars and cafes on the ground floor.
The site became vacant after its previous owners went into administration and the purchase was concluded on Friday.
Prof Saks said: “It’s a great opportunity for UCS and it gives us the chance to create the most stunning campus of any university in the country. It is great news for us.”
n How important is the expansion of UCS for Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk
