Vice-Chancellor digs University of Brighton development

Professor Debra Humphris took the controls of an excavator during a visit to the first stage of the £300m redevelopment of the Preston Barracks site

Posted by Julian Owen | March 08, 2018 | People, policy, politics, money

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University of Brighton's Vice-Chancellor has added a personal touch to her institution's redevelopment. Professor Debra Humphris drove an excavator and tipped rubble into a crusher at the £300m Preston Barracks project.

She said: “I was in good hands all the time, under the watchful eye and being instructed by machine operator Adrian Bursue. 

“The crew here are amazingly skilful and it is exciting to see work being carried out on the first phase of the fantastic redevelopment of the old Preston Barracks and our Moulsecoomb campus sites.” 

Crews are preparing the Brighton and Hove City Council land in Lewes Road for the construction of a new Central Research Laboratory, an innovation and business start-up hub, replacing the old FIELD building. There will also be 500 additional student bedrooms in privately-managed accommodation on the site. 

University land adjoining the site and across the street will see the development of 800 student bedrooms in new halls, new Students’ Union facilities, new fitness facilities, a new academic building, a new multi-storey car park and space for 1,000 cycles. 

The main construction works will run from this summer to the spring of 2020. 

The development, by the University in partnership with developers U+I and Brighton & Hove City Council, will create over 1,500 jobs and attract over £500 million into the city over the next ten years.