Exhibitions about Heslington East
Posted on 5 August 2004
Two exhibitions are running in parallel - one at the Information Centre in Market Square on the University campus and one at The King’s Manor in Exhibition Square in the city centre. The exhibitions outline the background to the Heslington East project and why expansion has become vital for the University’s future. There are also details of what facilities are planned for Heslington East, and what changes have been made to the masterplan in response to local community concerns.
Staff, students and members of the public are invited to visit and post their comments. The Information Centre is open between 9 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday (9.30 Wednesdays). The King’s Manor is open to the public between 10 am and 4 pm seven days a week.
The King’s Manor exhibition gives a summary of the project as a whole, describing the reasons why expansion has become necessary; the Information Centre exhibition complements this by focussing on issues which are important to the local community and staff, such as transport and the provision of facilities.
Since its foundation in 1963, the University has grown rapidly in staff and student numbers and in reputation. It is frequently listed among the top ten universities in the UK. In order to maintain its success, the University is now under intense pressure to expand. The current campus is constrained by the planning condition restricting the area that can be built on to 20% of the land area, and it is now almost at full capacity. The proposed area of development, south of Field Lane, was one of 16 sites which were considered for University expansion. The environmental and monetary cost of other sites was too great, and the City of York Draft Local Plan identified Heslington East as the only site feasible for development.
The exhibitions outline the pressure on the University to expand, from sources such as high demand for places from students at home and abroad, and proposals to introduce vital new subjects such as dentistry to cope with national shortages. The University is one of the smallest in Britain and cannot sustain its success at its current size.
The development will play a crucial role in local economic development. The University is already one of York’s largest employers, supporting 4,500 jobs in the region and contributing £112 million per year to the local economy. Heslington East is likely to create a further 2,000 University jobs, in addition to 2,500 related jobs and a considerable number of further jobs in the city.
Jobs created will be wide ranging. The University will need technicians, administrators, gardeners, IT specialists, librarians, cleaners, chefs, security staff, marketing and personnel specialists, and accountants, amongst others. As well as new jobs created within the University itself, there will be associated new jobs in the local area as the student population rises.
Sustainability is the guiding principle behind the Heslington East development. Landscaping will include a large naturalistic lake with wetlands for wildlife. It is hoped that the lake, wildlife areas and woodland walks will attract visitors. Green wedges are to be established as ‘buffer zones’ to residential areas, to preserve the rural feel of the location and protect local views. Kimberlow Hill is to be developed as an area of woodland. The campus will become almost traffic-free, and will be serviced by an environmentally friendly transport system.
College accommodation will be created to meet growth in student numbers. Rooms will be provided for students on full-time courses at the University who do not already live in York or the immediate surrounding area. An increasing number of students are from the local area.
The exhibition gives details of changes that have been made to the masterplan in response to community views, such as the prevention of short cuts through Heslington village and protection of the village green. It also outlines the University transport strategy, which focuses on the promotion of walking, cycling and the use of public transport in order to minimise car trips.
Notes to editors:
- Details of progress on Heslington East can be followed at www.york.ac.uk/heslingtoneast
- The University has established 12 working groups to consider different aspects of the expansion plans. They include Sustainable Development, Colleges, Performing Arts, and Sport and Leisure.
- The University of York is Britain's leading teaching university. It is ranked 6th for research quality and first for research efficiency. It is the Sunday Times University of the Year.
- The University currently has 8,500 full-time students, 1,700 part-time students and 2,700 staff. It is the sixth smallest university in England.
- A study commissioned by Universities UK shows that for every 100 jobs within universities, a further 89 are generated indirectly in the area. Moreover, for every £1 million of higher education institutional output, a further £1.56 million of output is generated in other sectors of the economy.
- The University leads Science City York with the City of York Council, is a member of Higher York with York College, York St John College and Askham Bryan College, and is a member of the York Tourism Bureau, Yorkshire Universities and the White Rose Consortium.
- The vision for Heslington East is that all aspects of the University community will be integrated, and will consist of research, administration, teaching, sport, arts and retail units. Heslington East will also be open to the public, especially the local community. An extensive sports development is planned, together with a performing arts centre, cafés, shops and a bookable space for community groups.
- For further information about getting here, go to www.york.ac.uk/np/maps