September 4, 2019 12.06 pm This story is over 54 months old

Hundreds of Lincoln students affected by accommodation delay

It was supposed to be completed in time for the new term

Students have been offered alternative accommodation due to a a delay with a private development. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

The completion of a 301-bed student accommodation scheme has been delayed, leaving hundreds of students facing uncertainty with Freshers Week looming next week.

A joint venture by EBW Developments (Block Ltd and MWPL Ltd) will bring a 301-bed student accommodation scheme to 179 High Street in Lincoln. A letting was agreed with the University of Lincoln for 21 years.

Due to delays with the private development, hundreds of students have now been offered alternative accommodation.

Construction was initially expected to be completed by September 2019.

However, developers Marcus Worthington Group told the University of Lincoln that the project may be delayed.

The University of Lincoln has contacted anyone who would be affected to offer them an alternative in a nearby hall of residence. There is no additional cost to the students the university is offering alternative accommodation to.

The project may be delayed. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

The development will include 250 bedrooms with a gym, shops and restaurants. A second block will include a six-storey annex block to accommodate 51 bedrooms.

According to the University of Lincoln’s accommodation guide the en-suite rooms cost £5.986.40 a year. The studio costs £7,213.50 a year.

It was expected to open in September 2019. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

A University of Lincoln spokesperson said: “The University aims to make available high standard accommodation and facilities for all of our students and this development will further add to the choices available.

“This accommodation is a private development and the developer has recently explained that the project may be delayed.

“To ensure that our students are not negatively impacted and have the best possible start to their new term we have contacted anyone who would be affected to offer them an alternative in a nearby hall of residence.

At Lincoln we put our students at the heart of everything we do and we do our utmost to ensure that everyone has somewhere to live where they will be happy and be in a position to make the most of their Lincoln experience.”

The Lincolnnite also contacted developers Marcus Worthington Group, but there was no reply by the time of publication.