Southampton medical training could be moved to Highfield Campus

The redevelopment would see the university's Faculty of Medicine relocate to a 1,681sqm site on the Highfield Campus. 

The proposed five-storey student centre would provide “much-needed state of the art” teaching spaces - including four lecture theatres, two teaching areas, two computer rooms, and six seminar rooms.

Plans have been put forward for a “next generation” student building at a Southampton university campus. (Image: Sheppard Robson)

The new building would also feature a student hub where students can access pastoral, academic and wellbeing support, as well as a café, rooftop plants and solar panels.

The university said the need for this building arises from a lack of “high quality, modern and flexible teaching, and study spaces”.

Plans have been put forward for a “next generation” student building at a Southampton university campus. (Image: Sheppard Robson)

It added: “The proposed building would be used by a range of faculties and would provide next-generation teaching facilities that will allow teaching to be relocated from poor quality and end-of-life buildings.”

The existing car park with 431 spaces is set to be removed - with just five available in the new development, including two for disabled people.

Cycle hubs around the site would allow parking for 222 bikes.

Plans have been put forward for a “next generation” student building at a Southampton university campus (Image: Sheppard Robson)

According to the design and access statement, the new development would provide teaching facilities not presently available to the university.

It said: “The building would provide new multi-discipline teaching spaces for a range of departments, with front-facing lecture theatres as well as ‘event teaching’ spaces to facilitate new ways of teaching.”

The statement added: “This will enable hybrid learning, group working and independent study throughout the academic day.

“Facilities will support opportunities for online attendance to teaching and recording lectures and talks.”

A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton said: “The decision to move the Faculty of Medicine is an initiative led by the University of Southampton to consolidate its medical teaching on one site.

"This is a move supported by the Trust as it will enable us to expand clinical facilities within the hospital. It has no impact on our partnership with the University or the training we provide."

Southampton City Council will make a decision on the plans in due course.