One of Burnley’s most spacious commercial office blocks is set to be transformed into student housing, the Burnley Express reports. Demand for student accommodation in the town centre has risen sharply in the past few years due to an increasing number of school leavers expressing an interest in acquiring a place at the University College of Football Business (UCFB).
Finance and media courses are also proving very popular, with the result that UCFB bosses believe the Calder House office building will be put to better use by being transformed into 60 new student flats.
Provost and chief executive at UCFB Burnley and Wembley, Professor Philip Wilson, spoke of the institution’s dedication to continued investment in Burnley.
He said; “We are delighted to see an increase in applications at our UCFB Burnley Campus, resulting in an increased demand for halls of residence accommodation.
“We take the pastoral care of our students very seriously and the provision of high quality living accommodation plays a significant role in their comfort and wellbeing.
“UCFB brings significant investment to the town of Burnley, measured in millions per annum through our student cohort and core business activities.”
The change of use planning application, submitted this week for consideration by the local authority, demonstrate how three floors of the building could be divided into living accommodation for up to 60 students. Each floor would contain fifteen study bedrooms, two shared kitchen and communal lounge and dining space designed to promote socialisation whilst retaining an element of privacy for prospective tenants.
This is by no means the first project of this kind initiated by UCFB in Burnley, as both the Keirby Hotel and the Sparrowhawk building have been transformed as a result of significant investment by the college. They are now known respectively as The Crown Halls of Residence and the Sparrowhawk Halls of Residence, and provide living accommodation for hundreds of students in Burnley.
Professor Wilson continued; “The ongoing work being undertaken at The Crown shows our commitment to the people and the property of Burnley, and the public image of its buildings are important to the image of the town for local people.
“I would like to extend my thanks to the town of Burnley for making UCFB and our students welcome in the town.
“Without this support, UCFB could not be the success it is today in creating a world first and providing a platform for opening our second campus at the iconic Wembley Stadium.”
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