The University has submitted a planning application to build a third phase of the Northfield halls of residence on campus, providing 150 additional study bedrooms.

The student demand for places at Sussex has increased faster than expected since the first plans for Northfield were submitted in 2008.

"A further extension to the Northfield residences will help us to meet our target of housing 40% of Sussex students in University-managed accommodation and also to meet the growing demand for high-quality en-suite rooms," explains Charles Dudley, the Director of Residential, Sport and Trading Services.

Construction of phase one was completed in summer 2011 and the 14 halls of residence are now home to 777 Sussex students.

In late summer 2011, builders started work on the three blocks of phase two - and these 180 bedrooms are due for completion by summer 2012.

If approved by the planners, the design of the three extra blocks in phase three would be the same as those that have already been built. They would contain clusters of six single study-bedrooms (each with an en-suite shower room) and each cluster would include a kitchen and dining area.

The buildings would be linked to the remainder of Northfield by extensions to the existing roads, pathways and landscaped areas.

Students who are resident on campus are not permitted to park cars on campus, but there would be parking in phase three for 72 bicycles.

The new development would be self-financing, i.e. the capital investment would be financed by future rents and vacation income.

Charles says: "We are optimistic that Brighton & Hove City Council will grant outline planning permission by June 2012.

"There is an urgent need for the development to support the future expansion of the University."

Ideally construction would begin in July 2012, for completion in July 2013.

Although students living in Northfield enjoy views of nearby Stanmer Park and the South Downs National Park, the buildings sit entirely within the University campus.