Unite Students’ 6-12 Kennington Lane student living scheme in Kennington, London, is a mixed-use development featuring industrial and community spaces across ground and mezzanine levels, with purpose-built student accommodation above.

The scheme provides 511 high-quality student bedrooms, including 177 affordable (35%) and 26 wheelchair-accessible rooms. Accommodation options are placed in a mix of clusters varying in size with shared kitchens, together with individual studios. The industrial spaces have the option of being utilised as either self-storage or a fulfilment centre, while a new community space supports local groups and service providers.

The development rises to a maximum of 15 storeys with a drop down to 13 storeys towards Elephant and Castle, and then down to seven storeys to the rear of the building to minimise the visual impact to neighbouring residents. This site is ideally located between Elephant and Castle and Kennington stations which will provide students with excellent transport links.

With the UK aspiring to become a ‘science superpower’, specialist investor, developer and operator for the science and innovation sector Mission Street, and BGO, a leading global real estate investment manager, recently received planning consent to deliver a world-class 23-acre urban science district in central Cambridge, known as ‘District East’.

Approved by Cambridge City Council’s planning committee, District East is located just ten minutes’ cycle from the central railway station and will be developed on a site that has been unused for decades.

One of the largest new urban science developments in the UK, District East will facilitate a variety of research and development uses, catering to companies throughout their growth journey, from start-up to large multinational, within a single location. Innovative companies that have previously been forced to relocate or fragment their businesses will have the space to scale within the ecosystem, with the advantage of being part of a major science and technology cluster in a central location.

Totalling 1,000,000 sq ft of GIA across nine buildings, the scheme’s design has been led by master planners Hawkins\Brown in collaboration with other leading design practices. Anchored by a central square, the largely pedestrianised and publicly accessible masterplan will create a destination for all ages, including units suitable for local businesses, fitness infrastructure, a threefold increase of play space for children, a diverse food and beverage offering and community events space. Access to extensive biodiversity-rich green space is also incorporated within the scheme, centred around meadow and lake habitats.

Provision has also been made for an active programme of events such as Public Art including an Artist in Residence, and a STEM-based educational outreach programme which is already being implementing in local schools.

In a significant boost to Oxford’s thriving life sciences sector, planning approval was recently granted by Oxford City Council for Railpen’s extensive transformation of an existing business park into a leading-edge life sciences campus.

With high demand for specialised life sciences facilities in Oxford, the Scott Brownrigg-designed Eastpoint Science Park will offer 200,000 sq ft of premium flexible space just two miles southeast of Oxford’s city centre and close to both Oxford Business Park and Oxford Science Park. Arranged across three new four-storey laboratory buildings and a single-storey amenity building, the development will incorporate a flexible mix of 55% CL2 laboratory space and 45% office space to support advanced research and collaboration.

Creating a learning space for all

Community integration is high on the agenda, and the scheme includes a revitalised public realm with pedestrian-friendly pathways, and active ground-floor spaces, along with a range of amenities. Key features include a ‘Learning Lab’ where local students can access state-of-the-art STEM facilities and interact with industry professionals. A publicly accessible café, social hub, and green spaces will also help create a vibrant community centre.

Commenting on the scheme in a recent statement, Richard Van Lente, Senior Asset Manager at Railpen, said: “There is strong demand for state-of-the-art laboratories in Oxford, which our plans for Eastpoint will help to address. More than that, however, they will make a significant contribution to the STEM sector in the city, facilitating meaningful interaction between research, commerce, education and the community. We believe this approach will further increase the appeal of the space among leading national and international research companies, which in turn will deliver enhanced long-term returns for our members and a lasting legacy for Oxford.”