University of Winchester becomes first UK University to secure green finance for campus development

Lending has been confirmed to fund a landmark new building at the University of Winchester’s West Downs Quarter.

A £30m loan from Triodos Bank will ensure that the development, which includes a 250-seat auditorium and will increase teaching and support floor space by 20 per cent, will be completed for the 2019-2020 academic year.

The new building boasts sustainability features including:

  • Combined heat and power plant
  • Heat recovery systems
  • Solar photovoltaic panels
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Green roof
  • Bat and bird boxes to promote biodiversity
  • Renewable sources of energy to provide all electricity to the building

Osborne is working to build a highly sustainable (BREEAM outstanding for energy) building for the University, which is aiming to have the most sustainable higher education campus in the UK and is funding the building through green finance.

Professor Joy Carter CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester said: “We are very pleased to be working on this project with Osborne, one of the leading construction businesses in the UK. We know Osborne well – we share a values-driven approach and have worked closely together before on our Burma Road Student Village. It is always a pleasure to work with Osborne and I have no doubt that they will do a magnificent job on this important and exciting development.”

The £50m development will also feature an art gallery, café, food hall, library and social learning areas.