Aston University Student Residences | 18fl | Comp.

[feltip]

(courtessy of Hammerb24 who reports construction under way on car park I though would condense all the information we have on it and images)

Application number
C/02087/07/FUL
Date application received
05/04/2007
Date application registered
05/04/2007
Date application decided
05/07/2007
Location
Aston University Campus, (land at Aston Street, James Watt Queensway, Coleshill Street, Jennens Road), City, Birmingham, B4 7ET
Proposal
Mixed use development with 34 tutor appts, 413 student flats (2353 beds), admin offices, retail, parking (325 spaces)
Status
Approve

Condition and reason details
No phase of the development hereby permitted shall take place until full details of the matters listed below in respect of that phase have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall then be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved details.

The provision to be made to enable people with disabilities to use the building, including details of satisfactory access into and through the building. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory provision of facilities and access for people with mobility and sensory disabilities in accordance with the standards adopted by the Local Planning Authority.

Details of the specification and position (shown on a site drawing) of fencing and/or any other measures to be taken for the protection of retained tree/s on the site and adjacent land from damage before or during the course of the works including demolition REASON: In order to protect the trees to be retained on the site and adjacent land.

Details of any proposed alterations in existing ground levels, and the position of any proposed excavation within the root protection area of any retained tree, or any tree on land adjacent to the site within a distance equal to half the height of that tree. REASON: In order to protect the trees retained on the site and adjacent land.

A lighting scheme incorporating the type and position of lighting equipment to be installed, and the level of illumination. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the application site.

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, samples of all building materials to be used, including the provision of sample panels, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details unless otherwise agreed by the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory appearance of the development.

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted details of a hard and soft landscaping scheme for each phase of the development shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The submitted details shall include: a) details of species (which shall comprise native grasses, shrubs and trees (including semi-mature trees (girth 18-25c and provide for native marginal and aquatic species within and around the lake) b) planting densities c) samples all hard surface materials d) timetable of planting and works e) landscape management plan The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority and shall be implemented prior to the first occupation of buildings within each phase of the development. Any trees or plants that die within 5 years of the implementation of the scheme shall be replaced to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory appearance of the development.

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted, details of the design, appearance and materials of all gates and fences shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory appearance of the development.

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted, details of a scheme for the provision of drainage for the site (both surface water and foul sewage), including the identification of sustainable drainage measures (including details of the proposed rainwater harvesting for Buildings A, B and D), shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. REASON: In order to ensure the satisfactory development of the site and to prevent the increased risk of flooding.

Notwithstanding the submitted details, prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, details of the amended location of bin stores for Blocks B, C and D shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The submitted information shall also include details of their design and appearance. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory appearance of the development and to safeguard the amenities of the occupiers of adjoining buildings.

Details of the provision of fire fighting shafts and/or dry risers to be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site.

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, a construction methodology statement shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, in consultation with Birmingham International Airport, in order to prevent infringements of the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site and in the interests of aviation safety.

Details of the design and appearance of the wind turbines on Block B and C shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory appearance of the development.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, or any order revoking or re-enacting that Order, with or without modification), no structures, extensions, satellite antenna, apparatus or plant of any sort, (including structures or plant in connection with any use for telecommunications systems), are to be erected on any roof, or within the curtilage of the premises without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to safeguard the visual amenity of the area.
Adequate facilities for cyclists using the application site to be maintained in accordance with the details indicated on the approved plans. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory provision of facilities for cyclists using the premises/site, in accordance with the standards adopted by the Local Planning Authority.

This permission relates to the details shown on Drawing Numbers: P000/04, P098/1, P099/1, P101/6, P104/1, P120/07, P121/07, P122/08, P123/06, P124/2, P125/4, P127/4, P175, P225, P1A220, P1B310/1, P1B311/1, P1B312/1, P1B350/10, P1B370/5, P1C450/8, P1C470/7, P2510/2, P2511/3, P2512/1, P2550/8, P2570/6, P3617/2, P3618/3, P3650/8, P3651/8, P3670/7, P1A220 and shall not be altered unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to define the permission.

The building(s) shall not be occupied until the occupiers of the premises have affiliated to "Company Travelwise in Birmingham". In the event that the occupiers cease to affiliate to Travelwise they shall come forward, within three months of them ceasing to affiliate to Travelwise, with further proposals for decreasing reliance on the private car and continuing staff use of alternative means of transport, such proposals to be agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority and thereafter implemented. REASON: In order to decrease reliance on the private car and encourage the use of public transport.

Noise insulation measures, including appropriately specified glazing and ventilation for bedrooms and living rooms, shall be provided in accordance with the details set out within the Sol Acoustic Environmental Noise Study (March 2007) received by the Local Planning Authority on 24 May 2007. Prior to the first occupation of each phase of the development hereby approved, the developer shall provide written certification to the Local Planning Authority that the measures set out in the report have been implemented in full for said phase of the development. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site and to safeguard the amenities of the future occupiers.

Ground contamination remediation measures shall be provided in accordance with the details set out within the Clarkebond Ground Contamination Remediation Strategy (June 2007 ref: EH00586/R1). Prior to the first occupation of each phase of the development hereby approved, the developer shall provide written certification to the Local Planning Authority that the measures set out in the report have been implemented in full for said phase of the development. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site.

Details of the provision including design, appearance and location of adequate facilities for the treatment and extraction of fumes from retail (A1-A5 (inc)) and offices (B1) premises hereby approved shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details with the approved facilities to be implemented before the premises are occupied. REASON: In order to safeguard the amenities of occupiers of premises in the vicinity.

The roofs of the multi-faith centre (Block B), the games room (Block D) and the retail uses (Block D) as shown on Drawing P101/6 shall be provided as intensive green roofs of not less than 1175sqm (in total) to provide enhanced biodiversity habitat in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The submitted details shall include the design, appearance and cross section of the proposed roof, planting (species and planting densities) and method of rainwater harvesting. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and fully implemented prior to the occupation of the building. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site and to provide biodiversity enhancement in accordance with the objectives of PPS9 - Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.

Details of the provision of bird nesting boxes (or other appropriate nesting features for Black Redstarts and Peregrines) and bat boxes shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The submitted details shall include the identification of an appropriate number and location for the boxes. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and shall be fully implemented prior to the first occupation of buildings within each phase of the development. REASON: In order to promote biodiversity enhancement in accordance with the objectives of PPS9 - Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.

Notwithstanding the submitted details, prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, details of the amended location of cycle parking for Blocks C and D shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The submitted information shall also include details of their design and appearance. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory appearance of the development and to ensure the provision of secure cycle parking.

Prior to the commencement of its development, details of the design, appearance, materials, walls, fencing, floodlighting and landscaped bunds for the proposed sports pitch shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and implemented prior to the final occupation of residential Blocks C and D. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory appearance of the development and to provide appropriate recreational facilities for the occupiers of the development.

The sports pitch hereby approved shall only be available for use between the hours of 09:00hours and 22:00hours on any day. No floodlighting of the pitch shall take place outside of the specified hours of use. REASON: In order to safeguard the amenities of the occupiers of the adjoining buildings.

Prior to the commencement of the use the sports pitch, a Community Use Scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The submitted scheme shall include details of the hours of availability for non-university users, pricing policy and management plan. The approved scheme shall be implemented upon the commencement of use of the pitch. REASON: In order to secure safe community access and use of the facility and to contribute towards the development of sport in accordance with the provisions of PPG17.

Prior to the commencement of the second phase of the development hereby approved (ie Blocks C & D), details of the design and appearance, including materials, of the following shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority: 1) multi-use pavilion 2) campus gateway features The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details, unless otherwise agreed by the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site.

The development hereby permitted shall not be occupied until the applicant has entered into a Section 278 Agreement and secured any other necessary consent, licence, permit or agreement, to secure the provision of highways works including: 1. highway improvements to Aston Street (including the proposed turning head, hard and soft landscaping and traffic restriction measures) 2. new junction and access road into the site from Jennens Road 3. new junction and access road into the site from Aston Street 4. works to Coleshill Street 5. the reinstatement of redundant footway crossings 6. repaving, lighting and signage improvements REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site.

The multi-faith prayer room hereby approved shall include appropriate washing facilities. REASON: In order to secure the satisfactory development of the site and enable use by all faiths.

The student accommodation, tutor and visitor apartments hereby approved shall be occupied solely by those involved in full time education, or by those persons requiring limited short-term use of the rooms and facilities (eg: conference delegates) outside of term time. REASON: In order to define the permission.

Notwithstanding the details shown on the submitted drawings, no amalgamation of shops units that would result in less than 3 shops being provided shall take place without the prior permission of the Local Planning Authority. No shop unit shall exceed 600sqm (GIA) without the prior permission of the Local Planning Authority. REASON: In order to ensure that an appropriate mix of retail units are provided to meet the day-to-day shopping needs of the occupiers of the residential development hereby permitted.

The development hereby permitted must be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission. REASON: To comply with Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, (this section limits the duration of the planning approval).

Birmingham City Council grants Planning Permission subject to the condition(s) listed below (if appropriate). The reason for granting permission is because the development is in accordance with Policies 2.7 and 4.55 of the Birmingham Unitary Development Plan 2005.
View policies
Provision of a recycling facility, details of size, siting and design to be agreed and for the applicants to examine the feasibility of locating the storage facility underground. REASON: In order to improve sustainability measures incorporated within the site.

Images courtessy of Bio:
[img/http://i18.tinypic.com/3zv8k7p.jpg[/img]







Plans of site courtessy of Feltip:




Scanned Post Article courtessy of U475Foxtrot


Issues Report - http://80.86.36.120/vault/XDDocStore...n%20Campus.pdf

Committee Report - http://80.86.36.120/vault/XDDocStore...0208707FUL.pdf
From the Committee report:
Mixed use development of up to 66,672m2 (gross internal area) to include staff (4 x 1-bed tutor and 30 x 1-bed visitor) and student (413 cluster flats [269 x 5-bed, 144 x 7-bed]) residential apartments, student ancillary and amenity services, university management administration offices, retail within use classes A1 to A5 (shops, financial & professional services, restaurants & cafes, drinking establishments, hot food takeaways) (1600 sq.m G.I.A.), car parking (325 spaces), highways and infrastructure works and associated development

The proposals would therefore result in the demolition of buildings within the application site including: Stafford Tower, Vauxhall Court, King Edward VI House, Lawrence Tower, Old Cross, Bishop Ryder House, Gem House and Dalton Tower along with the existing allweather sports pitch. The nursery building fronting Jennens Road would also be demolished. The existing sports hall would be retained. 2117 student bedspaces would be lost.

A total of 1307 student bedspaces provided within Blocks A/B along with 8 tutor apartments. They would form the first phase of the development. Once completed, students from the existing buildings would be moved into these blocks to enable the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of Blocks C and D.

New residences project gets green light

10 July 2007 – for immediate release
Aston University has now received formal planning permission for the Student Residences Project.

The project will see the construction of 2,400 new rooms all with en suite facilities. Added to the recently-built Lakeside building with its 650 rooms, this will give the University over 3,000 rooms on campus to offer its students. The scheme will also see the creation of a new five-a-side football pitch and a below-ground level car park with 250 spaces.
Work will begin on site in summer 2008 with the construction of the first block in the project. Situated on the south-east side of campus off Jennens Road, this building will provide 1,350 rooms and will be ready for occupation in 2010. The second phase will follow immediately. This will involve the demolition of the current 1970’s accommodation towers and the construction of two nine-storey blocks on the north-west of campus, opposite the Fire Station. The 1,000+ rooms will be ready for occupation in 2014.

http://www.aston.ac.uk/about/news/070710-1.jsp

Specialist Construction Firm Lands £200 Million University Project - 19/06/2007

A firm of construction experts based in Solihull in the West Midlands has won a contract to project manage a new £200 million state-of-theart
student residential scheme at Aston University in Birmingham. Emprima Ltd – based at Blythe Valley Business Park – beat off stiff competition from national firms to land the eight-year contract.

The scheme – the largest of its kind in Birmingham – will provide the university with a completely new, self-contained “student village” on campus. As well as providing a total of 3,000 study bedrooms, the project will provide shopping and retail, sports and conference facilities for students, as well as a multifaith centre and management offices.

The whole area will be landscaped to a high standard to add to the “village” feel, particular care being given to student security. Following consultations, the proposals have recently been formally submitted to Birmingham City Council’s planning department seeking planning consent.

As a first phase, a new residential block ranging from nine to 18 storeys containing 1,350 en-suite bedrooms in five and seven bed clusters is to be built on campus to be ready for the September 2010 academic year. The apartments will include kitchens, tutors’ apartments and laundry areas. Upon their completion, students will move into these residences whilst existing 1970s high-rise accommodation is demolished and a further 1,000 rooms are built on the site of the old buildings for completion in 2014. The development has been designed to incorporate the recently-built Lakeside Residences with its 650 en-suite rooms.

Neil Pountney, managing director of Emprima Ltd, who is a former National President of the Quantity Surveyors Division of the RICS, said demonstrating that Emprima had the right team of people to fit the requirements of the scheme was the key to landing the contract. “It is largest project in the university’s history and will be a logistical challenge to ensure that the development takes place whilst maintaining the usual learning environment,” he said.

“This scheme is all about the university responding to what the students need and indeed, now expect. When completed, the development will provide them with the very best surroundings in which to work, close to a vibrant, buzzing Birmingham city centre and forming part of its evolving Eastside learning quarter,” he said. “The fact that students will be able to study, shop and go about their daily lives in a safe and secure self-contained environment will make the university even more attractive to the best young talent. As would be expected, the university is insisting that considerable care is given to the incorporation of measures that will make the development sustainable in its design, construction and operation,” he added.

Garry East, director of estates at Aston University, who joined the organisation only six months ago, said: “Apart from the Lakeside Residences, the existing accommodation has now become outdated and does not meet present day student expectations. This project is therefore, a key part of improving the experience Aston offers.”
The project is, nevertheless, a huge task, but one that he believes the university is up to undertaking. “In doing so, it is vitally important that we choose to work with people whom we know will deliver a project of this size on time and on budget. Emprima demonstrated that it has this track record. The university is absolutely clear that it wants the best possible facilities for its students and working with reliable partners is the best possible way to ensure that. It is why it went through such a rigorous selection process for the biggest project the university has ever undertaken.”

Expressions of interest are soon to be invited from suitably experienced and qualified design and build contractors.
A registered charity – Aston Student Villages – has been formed to finance the construction and manage the project for a 37 year period, after which
ownership reverts to the university.

http://www.emprima.co.uk/press/Archi...0re.%20ASV.pdf

The changing face of Aston –

Student Residences Project

It is a well-known fact that the standard of accommodation is a major factor during the decision making process for university applicants. The new Student Residences Project acknowledges this issue and sets out plans to improve accommodation for Aston students.
The majority of the new buildings will be of at least a similar standard to the recently-built Lakeside residences, and some of the rooms will be of an even higher quality.

More than 900 additional rooms will cater for the growing number of students without creating undue pressure on accommodation, on and off campus. This will enable the University to continue to guarantee on-campus accommodation for first years, increase the number of rooms available to third and fourth years, and provide for the increasing numbers of overseas students.

The Student Residences Project will address more than just accommodation. The current planning proposals contain a new artificial 5-a-side football pitch and an underground car park with 250 spaces.
It is likely that the GEM Sports Hall will be re-clad. The proposals anticipate that the Lakeside Conference Centre will remain in use until 2014 when it will be demolished to create more green space around the lake.

The project has come to fruition thanks to an unusual partnership agreement between the University, a major UK bank and a service
provider. The three organisations will form a charitable trust – Aston Student Villages – which will co-own the new residences.

Preliminary ground investigations have already started on site, and plans are afoot to carry out service diversions and some site
works early in 2008.
The first main phase of construction is intended to start with the building of two new accommodation blocks off Jennens Road, currently designated as blocks A & B.
They will be combined to provide 1,300 beds within blocks ranging in height from nine stories on the Jennens Road frontage to an 18-storey tower adjacent to the existing Library and the Academy of Life Sciences
building. Work is programmed to be completed on these two buildings by 2010.
Under the plan, the second phase, on the other side of campus next to Lakeside and opposite the fire station (Blocks C and D), should be completed by 2014.

Director of Estates, Garry East, who will manage the construction aspects, said: “The Student Residences Project is a huge task. The existing accommodation, excluding Lakeside, is outdated and does not meet the
expectations of present day students. It’s a key part of improving the experience Aston offers its students.”

The Student Residences Project promises to be an exciting development in the history of Aston, changing the face of the campus, not to mention the skyline in Birmingham.

http://staff.abs.aston.ac.uk/newweb/...c%20Spring.pdf

[Biosonic]

Thanks for the thread feltip

[Cra1g]

The only thing to say on this topic is how they chopped down most of the trees on campus, despite trying sell Aston as a 'green and leafy' campus, and banging on about how green the uni is. Campus has ruined because of this IMHO, what's next? Fill in the lake and get a few lanes of the A38 going thru it?

[djay]

Cra1g, did u not hear the uni spokesman saying they will plant more trees than before?

[Cra1g]

Originally Posted by djay

Cra1g, did u not hear the uni spokesman saying they will plant more trees than before?

Yes, they are planting 200 trees on an entirely different site!

[feltip]

Here's the Mail article:

Anger over axed trees at Aston University
Mar 26 2008 By Tony Collins



A BIRMINGHAM university has pledged to replace dozens of trees which were cut down to make way for a new development.

The collection of trees, including willows and flowering cherries, were a feature of the picturesque lakeside setting at Aston University's campus near the city centre.

A businessman, who wished to remain anonymous but witnessed the aftermath of the cutting, said: "They have cut down about 60 lovely trees by the lake. I think it's disgusting."

But a spokesman for Aston University said Birmingham City Council had been fully consulted about the development scheme, and vowed to replace the trees when the work was completed.

Richard Middleton, the university's chief operating officer, said: "Due to the building of the student residences project, unfortunately some of the trees on campus have had to be removed.

"The university is proud of its green campus and will ensure that these trees will be replaced after the building work is complete.

'We are aiming to plant more trees on campus wherever possible and will shortly be planting some at the front of the Business School's Nelson Building.

"We will also be planting hundreds of bushes and plants in the process of the residential scheme."

Mr Middleton said the residential project itself was designed to produce significant long-term benefits for the environment and will be far more energy efficient than the current towers.

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/b...7319-20674919/

[Cra1g]

from http://www.aston.ac.uk/about/environ.../08a-trees.jsp :

With the enabling works for the residences project now on site, it is unfortunately necessary to remove around 160 trees from campus, stretching from Car Park 9 to just beyond the sports pitch. This is regrettable in the context of our commitment to the environment, but it is something we need to do.

Upon completion of Blocks A&B, in 2010/11, around 60 trees will be introduced onto site. We have also decided to plant at least 200 native trees at our playing fields at Shustoke, Walsall, where the University has 47 acres of green belt land and 15 trees on campus near the Nelson Building. This means that overall there will be an increase in the number of trees on University property, however the campus itself will be somewhat less green than usual.

We accept that this may be an unpopular move. Quite rightly, some of you love Aston's green campus - as indeed, we do - but we ask you to bear with us for the short-term, so that we can get it right for the long-term.

Emphasis mine. Even if they follow through with their promise to introduce 60 in three years, it's still a net loss of 100 tress. I know this is on a building forum, but Aston only needs to do this because of lack of foresight, or unwillingness to stump up some cash. (They could have bought what is now 'The Heights', they could expedite the purchase of the fire station, they could knock down the old towers and rebuild, they could have built on the MBC site themselves etc etc)

[Biosonic]

Well, if they want to increase student population then they need to put them somewhere, and unis have realised they can make money from doing it themselves.

It is a shame to lose so many trees, but the flats need to go somewhere. Large trees cannot be planted near buildings so there will be limited space. Maybe the uni can work with the council and tree-line the roads?

Don't forget, there will be a park nearby soon

[Elizabeth Kinoke]

Originally Posted by Biosonic

Well, if they want to increase student population then they need to put them somewhere, and unis have realised they can make money from doing it themselves.

It is a shame to lose so many trees, but the flats need to go somewhere. Large trees cannot be planted near buildings so there will be limited space. Maybe the uni can work with the council and tree-line the roads?

Don't forget, there will be a park nearby soon

There are so many concrete swathes in the city centre that th eUni could sponser the council to "green up" even in the bullring we need more trees.

[NeilM]

A temporary sports pitch will be built on wasteland at the back of the Sack of Potatos on Holt St.

[feltip]

I'm with Bio on that. I'm surprised there were that many trees as the campus was not the greenest i've visited. So long as you get those trees and good speciments then with the new accommodation its a win win especially with the greening of the surrounding area with the park and tree lined boulevards.

As they say, they are planting some shrubbery
(we are the knights that say ni and we want a shrubbery).

[NeilM]

Originally Posted by feltip

I'm with Bio on that. I'm surprised there were that many trees as the campus was not the greenest i've visited. So long as you get those trees and good speciments then with the new accommodation its a win win especially with the greening of the surrounding area with the park and tree lined boulevards.

As they say, they are planting some shrubbery
(we are the knights that say ni and we want a shrubbery).

nope, 2 shrubberies to create a two level effect, with a nice little path down the middle.

[Cra1g]

I feel the point has been missed, but oh well. More low-foliage for the rats to run around in I guess

[Bachy Soletanche]

So are they knocking down those 'New York' stylee flats to build this?

[NeilM]

Originally Posted by Bachy Soletanche

So are they knocking down those 'New York' stylee flats to build this?

Yes, thankfully, cause they are crap, and are some of the worse flats I have ever had the misfortune to be in.

[hammerb24]

The work that's started is on the car park near Millennium Point, the football pitch alongside closes next Monday for work to start here to, as I understand a new football pitch is to be constructed by September, but I've no idea where?

[feltip]

Better run than the University of Birmingham's Chamberlain Hall though. You have key for your room and your floor.

Stops the trashing of other floors amongst other things as was common in Chamberlain.

[NeilM]

Yeah thats something. They are obviously letting them rot, as I was in Dalton Tower last week, the lift wouldn't go to floor 18, had to go to 17 and walk up, but it just looks rough, and the stairwells are open to the wind due to the metal grills, good old 60s/70s design.

[Nacho]

Originally Posted by NeilM

Yeah thats something. They are obviously letting them rot, as I was in Dalton Tower last week, the lift wouldn't go to floor 18, had to go to 17 and walk up, but it just looks rough, and the stairwells are open to the wind due to the metal grills, good old 60s/70s design.

I really like the look of these towers and it will be a shame to see them removed from the skyline .Alas the reality is somewhat different and if they are falling apart I guess it's time to move on .

[GI_Chris]

I lived in Stafford Tower in my first year at Aston Uni and I can say that they are not well designed! For 18 flats there was two showers and three loos that both sides of the tower used.. so even tho you couldnt get in to the front door of the opposite 9 all you had to do was walk through the bathrooms.

The towers are also not very structurally sound, the urban legend ( I don't know how much truth there was to it) is that Dalton is peeling from the top like a banana, Lawrence is sinking and Stafford sways too much!

My little brother is moving back into halls for his final year and is up on the 18th floor of stafford... should be some good views to be had!