After a fantastic conference in Sheffield in January with 200 delegates we’re back in the South Yorkshire city this June – and we’re delighted to have Sheffield Hallam University as one of the confirmed speakers at the Sheffield Development Plans Conference. Ahead of the conference we take a look at their impressive campus masterplan which was recently launched – which places students at the heart of the University and the city.

The campus masterplan provides a framework for their estate over 20 years and aims to create a sustainable and flexible campus focused around Sheffield that will support the ambition of Sheffield Hallam to be the world’s leading applied University.

The developments will enable them to provide sector-leading, high-quality facilities for learning and teaching, respond to sector changes and achieve outstanding outcomes for students, staff and the city – in what could be a huge boost for the economic growth within the region. They’re going to continue investment in their existing campus’ facilities to ensure they match the future vision. By working closely with facilities and directorates they’ll address condition and maintenance issues whilst responding to teaching needs and pressures. It’s their long term aim to move to a single Sheffield campus in the heart of the city centre, and this is just the start.

As part of the higher education institutions commitment to provide a distinctive and exceptional learning environment they’ll continue to design innovative spaces that are efficient, adaptable and flexible, that will then enable them to better meet the needs of the business. They’ll also be providing additional support to enable a greater and more efficient use of space through improve timetabling and space management.

The principles within the masterplan have been developed to provide a guiding framework for their route. The principles have grow through discussions with academic, research and professional leads to ensure the shifting requirements of their university have been considered and will be used to inform all future works on the University estate. They’ll maintain the inclusive and collaborative approach as the masterplan evolves to ensure all future spaces deliver the levels of transformation they need whilst responding to user needs.

The masterplan has been broken down into four core development phases and all future plans will be reviewed annually alongside University Business Planning.

Phase One

This will be rolled out over the next five years with £220m of investment on:

  • New buildings for the Business School and departments from within the Faculty of Development and Society
  • Creation of a new public realm green space at the heart of the campus
  • Investment within the Collegiate Campus to support the needs of the Health and Wellbeing Faculty
  • Refurbishment of the Students Union building and The HUBS
  • Address long term maintenance needs for existing estate, including the refurbishment of Owen Building to create a new home for professional services
  • Demolition of the Howard and Surrey Buildings

Phase Two

This will create a new entrance to Owen Building and create a new campus heart for Sheffield Hallam across Howard Street. This work will enhance the visibility, engagement and profile of the University in the Sheffield City Region and support its wider regeneration and development. By shining a spotlight on Sheffield the University will support and enable collaborative and partnership working helping local businesses grow, boosting the economy for the region.

The subsequent phases will continue to transform the city campus, by developing new facilities, refurbishments and redevelopments of existing buildings all with the aim to provide the benefit of creating flexibility and variety to accommodate different student needs while delivering the masterplan principles.

We’re excited to hear more from the University about the bold and ambitious plans for Sheffield Hallam. Join us to hear more from them alongside Sheffield City Council, HS2 and Queensbury at the Sheffield Development Plans Conference in June.