University of Portsmouth proposes new civil engineering teaching hub
Plans have been submitted to Portsmouth City Council for a new civil engineering laboratory in the city centre.
The University of Portsmouth has applied to knock down the south wing of the Wiltshire Building, along with a vacant residential dwelling, to make way for a new civil engineering laboratory and teaching facility on Wiltshire Street.
The university said the south wing of the Wiltshire Building is “in a state of disrepair” and that redevelopment would allow for a purpose-built Civil Engineering laboratory (CE Lab). The scheme would also build on the existing Wiltshire Street car park, which currently provides 30 spaces.
According to the planning statement, the university said it is an “ambitious higher education institution” which plays a “significant role” in the educational, cultural and economic life of Portsmouth.
It added that the new development would support the future of civil engineering teaching in the city.
The proposed CE Lab would include specialist laboratories and workshops, a goods yard and office space. The total area of the new building would provide 544 sqm of floorspace.
The university explained that its School of Civil Engineering and Surveying is currently spread across several buildings, including the Burnaby Building, which it said is “distant from many campus facilities” such as the library, student hub and sports centre.
By bringing the department together in one dedicated building, the university said students and staff would benefit from “enhanced connectivity” and access to “state-of-the-art facilities”.
It added that co-locating the school was expected to create a “more cohesive and interconnected environment” and help draw more students to the surrounding campus.
No replacement car parking is proposed as part of the development, with the loss of the 30 existing spaces confirmed in the plans.
The university said that the loss of parking is justified due to plans for a new multi-storey car park at the Eldon Building.
Residents can view and comment on the application using the planning reference 25/01337/FUL.