UEA accommodation to reopen after closures due to RAAC
More than 700 students were rehomed when RAAC was found last year
The University of East Anglia (UEA) has announced it will be reopening three of its RAAC (Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete) affected accommodation buildings ready for the start of the next academic year.
Top floor accommodation in Nelson Court and Constable Terrace will reopen for students in September, with more than 150 rooms having been closed since last year following the change in Government guidance around RAAC in September 2023.
The university says this announcement means all students joining UEA for Welcome Week in September will have university accommodation available to them, with options both on and off campus.
Stephen Wells, Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to reopen some of our RAAC-affected accommodation after just a year. UEA campus is unique and something we are extremely proud of, so we want to be able to provide an on-campus living experience for as many of our students as we can.”
Closures
Following the change in government guidelines around RAAC in September 2023, UEA's estates and facilities team identified the concrete in the roofs of Nelson Court, Constable Terrace and Norfolk and Suffolk Terrace (the Ziggurats) on campus.
Over 700 UEA students were rehomed within two weeks, with the majority remaining on campus.
None suffered a financial impact.
Working with structural engineering companies and building contractors, the university's team then carried out surveys and remedial works to identify issues and, where necessary, reinforce the RAAC inside rooms and corridors within Nelson Court, Constable Terrace and Broadview Lodge to ensure safety.
Stephen said: “I want to pay tribute to our estates and accommodation teams, who deserve a huge amount of credit.
"They moved extremely quickly to find alternative accommodation for our students last September and make a difficult situation for them as smooth as possible, and have performed similar great work to get a number of our buildings ready in time for the next academic year.”
Ziggurats remain closed
The Grade-II* listed Ziggurats will remain closed for the next academic year, with discussions for both temporary and permanent solutions continuing between UEA, Historic England and the local planning authority.
Stephen said: “We are looking into all possible cost-effective options for the Ziggurats. The RAAC is more prevalent within them than any of our other buildings and the Grade-II* listed status of the buildings adds complexities.
"Of course, we would love to be able to reopen them but the safety of our students is paramount, and we won’t be housing anyone in Norfolk or Suffolk Terrace until it is absolutely safe to do so.”