Architect Sheppard Robson designed the building for Leeds Beckett University

Sheppard Robson's Carnegie Teaching and Research Building, earmarked for Leeds Beckett University's Headingley Campus

Galliford Try has been handed the demolition and building work contracts for a new teaching and research building at Leeds Beckett University.

The Sheppard Robson-designed Carnegie Teaching and Research building (pictured), at the university’s Headingley Campus, will house students and academics from the Carnegie School of Sport.

Plans for the building, which will be a base for the school’s undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes, were given the green light by planners late last month.

The facility will also provide a centre for the elite athletes who use the university’s sports performance expertise.

One of the main features will be a 60m covered rooftop running track, along with an environmental chamber which can mimic different altitudes and environments.

Construction on the new building is set to begin in July with completion scheduled for November 2019.

The latest appointment comes months after work got underway on the university’s new £80m arts building.

Liverpool-based firm George Downing Construction began work on the Hawkins Brown-designed building in January.