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Part of Canterbury Christ Church University demolished ahead of £60m revamp

Large swathes of Canterbury Christ Church University’s campus have been demolished to make way for a £60 million redevelopment.

The site will host a new state-of-the-art teaching and research facility in science, engineering, technology and health, which is set to open in 2020.

In a little over a week, three former halls of residence, Davidson, Lang and Temple, built in the 1960s, were flattened to make way for the new facility.

The demolished site on the Christ Church University campus (3491880)
The demolished site on the Christ Church University campus (3491880)

The replacement three-storey building will have two academic wings that sit behind a shared central space called the Cloister.

The building will provide a specific focus on the skills shortage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as support the Kent and Medway Medical School and public health degree programmes.

Already built and due to open next month is the university’s new arts building, which is the first phase of a £150 million estate master plan taking shape on the campus over the next 15 years.

How the new teaching and research building will look at the Christ Church University campus (3477784)
How the new teaching and research building will look at the Christ Church University campus (3477784)

University bosses say it will provide a vibrant, creative facility on campus offering a wide range of digital arts, music and media courses, together with the latest technology.

The university’s plan to expand teaching and research in the sciences is part of its wider ambition to transform its main campus, following the purchase of the former Canterbury prison site in 2014, which will partly become a heritage centre, reflecting its former use.

Bosses say the redevelopment provides a great opportunity to bring the estate together on two sites - North Holmes Road and Augustine House - extending the campus by five acres.

Christ Church's vision for the former prison (3477901)
Christ Church's vision for the former prison (3477901)

The campus transformation also includes new open spaces for students, staff and the community to enjoy.

At the heart of the extended site will be a new public space framed by steps that double up as seating where people can eat and socialise as well as host outdoor events in summer.

What do you think? Comment below or email kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk.

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