Construction of an outdoor leisure facility is underway, as part of the £14 million ongoing refurbishment of the Guild of Students building.
The latest phase of the development, which began in 2013, will include an exterior seating area linked to a new bar, creating an outdoor social space for staff and students at the heart of the campus. The work to the site, opposite the Cathedral, will include the removal of nine trees that have been identified as having significant branch failure and deadwood. A new planting scheme will be introduced to replace the trees as well as new hedging to enhance the green space.
The refurbished Guild of Students facility, due to open in May this year, will see the building fully restored, giving a contemporary look and feel, with a new entrance onto University Square, entrance hall and exhibition space and the creation of a multicultural dining facility.
Very sad to hear the trees will be cut down. I hope the ‘branch failure and deadwood’ are not convenient excuses to clear the area for leisure space. I think if there is any way of saving them then the Guild should have built this outdoor social space around these lovely big old trees. I’m sure the area will look great once finished but a new planting scheme is little consolation for the loss of this established green space.
Thank you for your comment. The design for the space has been developed to be as sympathetic as possible to the current green space and a respected Arborologist was consulted about the current condition of the trees as part of this process.
The outdoor area at the Guild will be framed by some of the existing trees that will be retained and this will enhance the space planned.
on behalf of Catherine Anderson BA FRSA MIH
Director of Residential, Sport and Commercial Services and PS lead for FM