University of Hull Master Plan – 2009-2024

A copy of the proposals for the University's Master Plan can be accessed below.

• Hull Campus Master Plan
• Scarborough Campus Master Plan
• Priority Projects (4 MB) 

If you wish to comment upon these proposals please email:  masterplancomments@hull.ac.uk

Background

The University appointed John McAslan and Partners to undertake an in-depth analysis of the campuses at Hull and Scarborough.  The plan aims to guide the University's future estate development for the next 15 years.  A draft document was approved by the University's Council in November.

The Master Plan builds upon the strength of the University's well established and attractive Hull campus, and outlines a new direction for Scarborough.  It provides an overall structure for both campuses, identifies development areas, including internal improvements to the public realm by separating pedestrian routes from other traffic.  On the Hull site there is a specific need to continue the integration of the former Lincoln site.  To be competitive in Higher Education, we need to produce an environment that appeals to, and will be enjoyed by, our community of students and staff, as well as meeting our business needs.  The aim is to produce efficient and sustainable, campuses.  There are proposals for future buildings that may be erected on-site, in accordance with student and academic need.  The plans are flexible, as needs will vary over time.  Overall, the Master Plan provides a framework on which future developments can take place to ensure there is a coherent ‘feel' on both campuses. 

Hull Campus

The Hull campus has many fine features.  The University's acquisition of the former Lincoln site, that is now the western part of an expanded Hull campus, creates a need to improve the ‘readability' of the landscape by removing unsatisfactory buildings, and by creating a more organised and accessible ‘feel' to this part of the campus.  Analysis revealed a need to progress further with co-location of some departments, to address the poor functional suitability of some space through refurbishment, and to identify and remove any unsuitable buildings. 

It is proposed to clear away a group of largely empty buildings, west of the Brynmor Jones Library, comprising Bain, Rother, Sheaf, Colne and, possibly in the longer term, Foss, to provide for a new centre-piece courtyard that would provide a setting for development of new buildings.  This would enhance the existing public realm, which is a strong feature of the Hull campus, by creating a formal landscaped setting onto which four new buildings could be sited, around a courtyard, that would improve the layout of the western part of the campus.  The following projects were identified to meet future needs:

• refurbishing general teaching rooms and upgrading the Wilberforce Building;
• refurbishing research space for the Faculty of Science;
• refurbishing the 2nd floor of University House as a Student Service Hub;
• refurbishing the library;
• providing a new Social Learning Space for students;
• refurbishment of Venn as a corporate headquarters;
• improving the front entrance to the Hull campus;
• provision of en-suite student residential accommodation on-site.

The Master Plan at Hull will build on its strong tradition of attractive buildings, complemented by an established formal landscape by introducing distinctive new buildings within a revitalised and extended public realm.  Crucially this should make the University more attractive to prospective staff and students.

Scarborough

An examination of the needs of the Scarborough campus revealed that further development of the existing site is required as the alternative, of moving to a site elsewhere, was ruled out on cost grounds.  Unlike the main Hull campus which benefits from having a layout containing formal planting and linked courtyards, the Scarborough site has limited pockets of landscaping between its buildings.  Consequently, one of the objectives of the Master Plan is to create a recognisable image, or ‘brand', by proposing planned improvements that will allow for subsequent removal of poor quality buildings at the rear of the site.  The proposed project will transform the site, by replacing 84 Filey Road with a new building.  An outline specification has been produced for the proposed Performing Arts Centre, containing general teaching space and providing a music performance venue for the Renaissance and Arts activity of the town.

Reece Andrew
Director of Facilities