Site plans showing (in red) the location of the three new blocks to be built, forming Phase 2 of the Northfield student residences

Full planning approval has been granted for the Northfield development of student housing to be expanded. 

Construction of 14 halls of residence - three four-storey and 11 three-storey blocks - on the Northfield site is on schedule for 777 students to move in this autumn. 

Brighton & Hove City Council planners today (Wednesday 8 June) approved the development of 180 additional bedrooms in three blocks at the western end of the site. 

"An extension to the Northfield residences will help us to meet our target of housing 40% of Sussex students in University-managed accommodation," explains the Director of Residential, Sport and Trading Services, Charles Dudley. 

The design of the additional three L-shaped buildings will be the same as the original 14 blocks. They will contain clusters of six single study-bedrooms (each with an en-suite shower room) and each cluster will include a kitchen and dining area. 

Students who are resident on campus are not permitted to park cars on campus, but there will be parking in the new development for 88 bicycles. 

The new development will be self-financing, i.e. the capital investment of just over £7 million will be financed by future rents and vacation income. 

Construction will begin this summer for completion by summer 2012. 

Although the 950 students living in the Northfield residences will enjoy views of nearby Stanmer Park and the new South Downs National Park, the development sits entirely within the University campus.