Canada Life Asset Management has received planning consent for the development of a new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Bristol in partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE).
The building, which will rise from five to nine storeys, is located close to UWE’s Frenchay campus and will provide 330 student beds.
Canada Life Asset Management has appointed Bowmer and Kirkland as the main contractor for the development, with works due to commence in Q3 2024.
It is targeting EPC A, WiredScore Platinum and BREEAM Excellent ratings as a minimum for the development.
James Ogborne, asset manager at Canada Life Asset Management, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to achieve planning for this fantastic scheme and we are looking forward to starting on site. Being so close to UWE’s Frenchay Campus, the site in Filton is an ideal location to develop first class accommodation for students to live and study. We have worked tirelessly with the University to achieve this great outcome.”
Paul Smith, project management director at JLL, Canada Life’s development and project manager, added: “Bristol is unsurprisingly one of the UK’s most attractive destinations for students, owing to its leading Universities, fantastic nightlife and future employment prospects. But it needs to be able to house the influx of students that arrive every year in a way that’s sustainable. Canada Life Asset Management has plans to do that and help ensure that Bristol, and UWE in particular, will remain at the forefront of young people’s choices to live, study and work for years to come.”
William Liew, UWE’s chief financial officer, said: “Working closely with Canada Life and JLL, we are very excited to have landed the university’s first partnership agreement on student accommodation. The development will be part of the UWE accommodation portfolio around the Frenchay Campus, offering a high standard of living at an affordable rental level.”
