Work on an innovative new teaching building at the University of Worcester has begun.

Construction is underway on a three-storey structure designed for medical, health professional and sports science students.

The building will be situated off Hylton Road in Worcester, in what was formerly a declining and partially derelict industrial estate, with the aim of transforming it into a "vibrant, dynamic university campus".

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The structure will house six large specialist clinical skills and exercise science laboratories, in addition to space for general teaching, learning and preparation areas.

The site already benefits from extensive car and cycle parking provisions, and is adjacent to one of the largest publicly available electric vehicle charging points outside of the motorway vehicle.

The ongoing development is set to incorporate additional external landscaping works, enhancing the area's transformation from a derelict state to a dynamic university campus centred on health, wellbeing and inclusive sport.

The university's vice chancellor and chief executive, Professor David Green CBE DL said: "This new building will provide highly valuable, modern, specialist and flexible teaching and laboratory facilities for our students studying to become the next generation of nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, sports and exercise scientists, physiotherapists, sports therapists and other health and wellbeing professionals."

He added: "The campus is already home to the Elizabeth Casson Building, where our Paramedic Science students learn their vital life-saving emergency skills, the multi-award-winning University of Worcester Arena, which is such a hub for grassroots, student and top flight sport and the former Worcester News building which has been transformed into a centre for medical and health education where our growing numbers of medical students are learning the skills they need to become the new doctors our NHS needs so badly."

The project is expected to be fully completed by February 2025, spearheaded by Worcestershire-based contractor Speller Metcalfe.

Divisional director at the company, Mark Hudgeon, said: "We’re pleased to be continuing our longstanding relationship with the University of Worcester.

"As a local contractor, we’re looking forward to delivering a number of community benefits on this project, alongside the flexible teaching space itself."