Frequently asked questions
How many students currently live in East Slope?
About 600 students currently live in East Slope.
How much student accommodation is provided on campus by the University?
We currently manage about 4,300 bedrooms on campus.
Why are you planning to redevelop East Slope?
The current buildings date back to the early 1970s and are now reaching the end of their life. We also want to ensure we develop our student residences to take into account any increase in student numbers in the coming years.
We currently have about 4,300 rooms on campus. Redeveloping East Slope will provide about 1,400 extra bedrooms, which will help us to accommodate the projected increases in student numbers while helping us to achieve our target of offering accommodation on campus to at least 40 per cent of our students.
Students say they love living in East Slope. Why are you going to pull it down?
Current and former students often speak affectionately about their time living in East Slope, as well as its flaws. East Slope, which houses around 600 students, was built in the 1970s and is expensive to maintain. We believe we can recapture some of the atmosphere of the current East Slope in the designs for the new residences.
How much is the cost of the project?
The value of the project is up to a maximum of £150 million.
How are you going to pay for this massive new development?
We have entered into a partnership arrangement with Balfour Beatty, who will raise the finance for, build and operate (in partnership with Sussex Estates and Facilities) the new residences.
How do you know what students want from any new housing development?
Student views and feedback, through a consultative process, has always been a key part of our housing strategy.
As part of the planning process for East Slope and to keep the student community involved and informed, in 2014 we ran a series of workshops (in conjunction with the Students’ Union) for students to share ideas and thoughts.
The Students' Union also contributed to the design and content of a questionnaire, which all Sussex students were invited to complete. The questionnaire asked students about what is important to them when choosing where to live and sought views on the plans for East Slope.
We incorporated the results of this consultation as far as was practicable into the process.
When will the construction work begin?
We aim to start building the new accommodation in phases from January 2017, and to have the first phase ready for around September/October 2018. We are aiming for full completion by 2020.
Where will students live while East Slope is being demolished?
We have demolished the Mantell building to allow for construction of new residences on that site prior to demolition of the current East Slope residences. This means there will be no net fall in the current supply of rooms available for students.
How will you manage to build 2,000 bedrooms on a site where you have only 600 bedrooms at the moment?
Modern construction methods and effective use of space will enable the developer to build higher-density housing than the current residences, while respecting the architectural heritage of the campus and providing some green and open spaces.
East Slope currently has a Students’ Union bar. Is this included in the new proposals, and will it be run by the Union?
Yes - we recognise the need for social space in the new residences and the affection that current and former students have for East Slope Bar. In fact, the East Slope site will accommodate – subject to planning permission – a new building for the Students’ Union, which will incorporate administrative and social facilities.
Will the new East Slope rooms all have en-suite bathrooms?
Not all of the new build will have en-suite bathrooms. There will be some town houses, without en-suite bedrooms, in the overall mix. Students have told us that they like to have good communal facilities such as kitchens/lounges, and IT is also very important.
East Slope is currently one of the cheapest places to live on campus. How much will it cost to live in the new residences? Will the replacement accommodation be in a similar price range? Can you guarantee a low-rent option?
We aim to provide a range of accommodation of a good standard that meets differing student expectations and budgets. We recognise the need to provide a range of accommodation at various price points to ensure affordability for all students.
It's too early at this point for any rent levels to be set but they will be in line with other recently built accommodation. Rent levels for all campus housing are reviewed every year and are always discussed with the Students' Union, and maintaining a range of rents is something that they will seek to retain.
Does the University have any plans to help students who may not be able to afford the next cheapest accommodation (currently Park Houses) to live on campus?
Rent levels are reviewed every year and are always discussed with the Students' Union. The rent includes utilities (water, heating, electricity and lighting), internet access, contents insurance, security and cleaning of communal space. Rents in Park Village have been reduced in real terms over the course of several years.
How will the campus cope with all of these extra students living on campus?
We’ve already put in place building infrastructure – such as a new drainage system, for example – for other campus developments that will be capable of supporting the additional new residences on East Slope.
What will the new development be called?
It's too early at this point to say what name the new residential development might be given.
Further questions and answers will be posted here as they are received.