Plans submitted for £64m Liverpool university job

Liverpool John Moores University has lodged plans for a new student centre and sports building.

Set at the entrance to the Knowledge Quarter and next to Liverpool Lime Street Station, the £64m scheme will transform the site of former Royal Mail Sorting office at Copperas Hill.

The Student Life Building and Sports Building were both designed by Sheppard Robson.

The application was submitted by planning and design consultancy Barton Willmor, who was appointed by project manager and quantity surveyor Faithful+Gould.

Engineering consultants Cundall and WSP are also working on the job.

The university is planning to develop the 1.4ha site in two phases as part of a wider masterplan investment across its estate. The development of these two buildings makes up the first phase.

The application is scheduled for determination by Liverpool city council this summer, with work expected to start onsite in the winter. The buildings are due to open in autumn 2020.

The Student Life Building will house a range of student-facing services, such as careers advice, international exchanges, and counselling and wellbeing support. It will also include a study area and a dedicated space for the students’ union.

The new Sports Building will have indoor facilities, including an eight court sports hall and gymnasium, which will support teaching and research in sports studies.