The University of Wolverhampton has laid out its plans for its new £25m science building at its City Campus.

Plans for the new development have now been submitted to Wolverhampton City Council for approval.

These include redeveloping the current five storey MB building, which fronts onto Stafford Street. This will involve demolishing a current single storey extension and creating a bigger six storey building covering more than six thousand square metres.

The contemporary look building will feature state-of-the art lab facilities for around 2,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students and be home to around 150 staff.

It will also include an area from Stafford Street through which the public can view the inside of the building and see experiments and teaching in action.

The new building would re-open as part of a phased approach. With the first part opening in September 2014 and the remainder in December 2014.

The project is part of a multi-million pound redevelopment of its City North and South Campuses and is part of the University’s masterplan, as well as the wider approach to the regeneration of Wolverhampton City Centre.

A brand new £15m building is also planned for the University of Wolverhampton Business School on the City Campus North opposite Molineux.

This would be located on land between the school’s current MN base and the School of Health and Wellbeing’s MH building in Molineux Street. Plans for the building are currently being devised with a view to deliver it by December 2014.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “It’s exciting to see things really starting to take shape now and submitting the plans is the next big step.

“This new facility will really enhance the laboratory provision for our students and allow us to provide state-of-the-art facilities.

“It’s also good news for Wolverhampton and its economy. Not only does it show that the city is developing and people have confidence to invest in it but it is also an investment in our students and getting them better equipped and ready for employment.

“We’d like to think that once work starts it will create a positive feeling in the city which will help fuel further regeneration.”

As part of the plans the George Building (formerly the Varsity pub) will be renovated and utilised as a focal point for advice and information on the University and a new outdoor all-weather sports pitch is being created at the Lomas Street Halls of Residence complex.

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