Work begins on second teaching building at Peterborough's Anglia Ruskin University
It'll include a 'living lab' science facility
Work is beginning on a second teaching building at the new Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Peterborough.
It'll include a 'living lab' science facility - and is expected to open in the autumn of 2024.
On Wednesday (6/21) representatives from the partners developing the university, the Combined Authority, Peterborough City Council and Anglia Ruskin University, were on site to celebrate the milestone.
This third phase of the ARU Peterborough campus is on the site of the former Regional Pool car park, next to first teaching building, University House, which opened to students in September.
The new building will support mainly STEM fields and expand the number of places for students. There will be specialist teaching labs, including in microbiology and engineering, flexible teaching spaces, and a social learning space.
The Living Lab and second teaching building sees another £30 million of investment into Peterborough. This includes £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, £4 million from Anglia Ruskin University, and £2 million from the Combined Authority’s Business Board. Peterborough City Council has contributed land for the project to an investment value of £2 million
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, said: “A major part of the development of ARU Peterborough has been the focus on collaboration and community – values which are at the core of my time as Mayor. The University is already an open, friendly, accessible campus for the city and the Living Lab will really help to embed this emerging new University Quarter as a new destination for residents and visitors alike.
“Showcasing the benefits of higher education and inspiring people in cutting edge science and technology is a big part of what ARU Peterborough is here to do, in a place where levels of skills, including in higher education, are behind the national average. It is fantastic to hit yet another milestone in the rapid and impressive development of this outstanding, award-winning campus and I look forward to seeing it come out of the ground.”