Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Balfour Beatty, the company responsible for the design and construction of the new £45m student residences at Aberystwyth University, has announced that the project has received the full backing of investors. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, Balfour Beatty announced that it had reached financial close on two major UK developments; the £45m Aberystwyth University Penglais Farm New Student Residences and the University of Edinburgh’s £63 million Holyrood Postgraduate Student Accommodation and Outreach Centre. In February, Balfour Beatty was unveiled as Aberystwyth University’s preferred bidder for the development following a competitive dialogue process that saw it beat off competition from several other leading construction companies. The announcement confirms Balfour Beatty as Aberystwyth University’s Residential Development Partner. The Penglais Farm Student Residences will offer the very latest in purpose built student accommodation for 1000 students. Indiv...

Aberystwyth University is advancing with the process of procuring new halls of residence which is expected to provide accommodation for 1000 students in modern self-catering accommodation at Penglais Farm. The University has been engaged in a competitive dialogue tender process since March 2011 when a contract notice was posted on the Official Journal of the European Union inviting expressions of interest from potential developers. The University received three excellent submissions at the end of Phase 2 of Competitive Dialogue. Following the evaluation by the Project Team, Balfour Beatty and The Miller Consortium have been selected to participate in Phase 3 which will commence mid January 2012. The unsuccessful participant was Sir Robert McAlpine. The Project Team reported that all the submissions were of a very high standard. The University thanks Sir Robert McAlpine for their interest in the Project and would very much welcome submissions from them in the future. To furth...

A new hall of residence has been officially opened by Aberystwyth University in preparation for the start of the new academic year. Rosser-G Block was opened by Professor April McMahon, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University, today, Tuesday 20 September. This exciting development represents an investment of £3m and provides en-suite accommodation for sixty postgraduate students along with six well-equipped kitchen/diner/TV lounge areas and an integral laundry room. Located on the Penglais Campus close to many of the University’s central facilities, this new building provides spacious modern accommodation designed to meet the expectations of postgraduate students from all over the world. The new building has been rated “Very Good” for the sustainability of its design, construction and operation under BREEAM scheme – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. Professor April McMahon said: ‘I am delighted to be opening this new development. It marks the University...

Aberystwyth University has announced that three companies have progressed on to the latest phase of bidding for the development of new halls of residence that will provide modern self-catering accommodation for 1000 students. The companies are Sir Robert McAlpine Limited, Miller Construction Limited, Balfour Beatty Student Accommodation. This is the latest phase in a process that was initiated at the beginning of March when the University issued a contract notice via the Official Journal of the European Union, inviting expressions of interest from potential developers. The University is seeking partners and innovative solutions to meet the need to continue to provide excellent accommodation to its students into the future. The potential development would represent an increase of 500 beds on current levels as well as replacing existing accommodation, and provide an opportunity to further develop the unique and popular student experience Aberystwyth has to offer. Subject to planning appr...