Manchester-based Ocon Construction has won three new student accommodation projects worth a total of £35.6.
A £25.2m Northfield contract for the University of Sussex will see the contractor build 776 new student bedrooms at the university’s campus near Brighton. Starting in January for July 2011 completion, this is the largest project constructed on the campus since the University was built in the 1960s.
The scheme comprises 16 buildings of timber frame construction, all of which will be connected to the campus’ district heating system and will feature other sustainable elements including green “sedum” roofs and high levels of insulation.
Ocon has brought in environmental and sustainability experts to help deliver the project and hopes to exceed the client’s aim of a BREEAM excellent rating for the development.
Meanwhile in Exeter, Ocon is about to start work on a £7.2m student accommodation project for sister company, Opal Property Group. The 219-bedroom timber framed scheme is the first student accommodation project for Ocon in Exeter.
The brownfield site, adjacent to the West of England main railway line, has required decontamination and extensive drainage works prior to construction of the four blocks and completion is expected in August 2010 ready for the start of the new academic year.
Finally, in Loughborough, Ocon has begun work on a £3.2m, 101-bedroom student accommodation scheme. Developer Anash Holdings has commissioned Ocon to construct the four-storey brick-fronted scheme with a completion date of August 2010.
Ocon completed 1600 student bedrooms during 2009.
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