The University of Kent is looking for a contractor to design and build seven student accommodation blocks and a hotel

The University of Kent is looking to appoint a design and build contractor for the construction of 762-bed student accomodation and a 150 bed hotel and conference centre on the Chaucer Field site of the Canterbury Campus.

Most of the student accommodation will be shared apartments located in five blocks, each four storeys high. Two other blocks contain student rooms in townhouses and a number of one-bedroom flats.

The proposed hotel and conference centre is three-to-four storeys and this will be stepped and built into the slope to reduce visual impact.

The design of the scheme is set to be finalised later this month and work is expected to start in September, while completion of the project is expected in September 2013.

Interested bidders have until 8 April to lodge their PQQ documents, after which a shortlist of five to eight firms will be selected.