Latest Update
Over the last month the eagerly awaited development of a University in Harlow has moved towards reality with the confirmation of funding from the East of England Development Agency and the Higher Education Funding Council. This now ensures that Anglia Ruskin University can proceed with the development of the building in 2010, in partnership with Harlow College, with the first students to be in place for the autumn term of 2011.
Harlow Renaissance has worked with its partners to lobby for this funding and we are delighted that Harlow will now see the University development take place. Alongside the re-development of the town centre this is a major boost for the town and will provide significant opportunities for local people and businesses.
The new building will provide a 96 seat lecture theatre and a variety of different sized teaching, IT and study areas. The top floor of the building will be the new home for the College's nationally renowned Centre of Journalism and will contain a news room, design area and radio studio. The widely recognised School of Journalism, which has operated for many years, includes Piers Morgan, Michael Buerk, Andrew Morton, Sue Lawley and Kate Adie as alumnae.
Anglia Ruskin University has now submitted its planning application for the development and it is expected that this will be considered by Harlow Council’s planning committee in January. Subject to the planning decision, construction work will then commence in the spring and complete by summer of 2011. The work will also include a significant upgrade to the entrance to the College site so that it presents a more appropriate entry from Velizy Avenue. Harlow Renaissance has also facilitated discussion between the university’s architects and the architects working on the Town Centre North development to ensure that complementary developments are produced.