A TRADITIONAL groundbreaking ceremony marked the first official day of construction of the University of Winchester’s new landmark development at West Downs.

University vice-chancellor Professor Joy Carter turned the first sod on the building site on Romsey Road, alongside Andy Steele, chief executive of construction company Osborne, and Alan Titchmarsh, the university’s chancellor.

During the ceremony on January 18, Mr Steele presented Professor Carter and Mr Titchmarsh with an engraved spade to commemorate the event.

The £50m development, which will be built on undeveloped land within the West Downs site next to the Grade II Listed West Downs Centre, will provide first-class teaching and learning facilities. It will be home to Digital Futures, the university’s computer and digital-related degree programmes.

Designed by award-winning Winchester-based architects Design Engine, the building is expected to open in autumn 2019. The contemporary design features an art gallery, a 250-seat auditorium for performances, a café and food hall, a contemplation space, courtyard garden, and library. Many of the facilities will be open to the public.

Prof Carter said: “I am delighted work is now under way on this exciting new development at West Downs, which represents a significant investment for both the university and the city of Winchester.

“As a values-driven institution, we are passionate about creating an environment in which students can flourish as individuals. This new development is both a symbol of that passion and of our commitment to high standards of academic achievement.”

The development is being built by Osborne, one of the UK’s leading construction businesses.

Mr Steele said: “This is an exciting phase in our partnership as we provide the new teaching and learning building for the University of Winchester. We are pleased to be part of this ground-breaking ceremony as a first step in this important project.”

Richard Jobson, founding director of Design Engine, said: “We are thrilled to see the West Downs scheme move one step closer to fruition.

“This is our fifth major project for the University of Winchester and we look forward to working closely with the client team and main contractor Osborne to deliver a landmark building.

All recent university developments meet the highest environmental standards and the new development is no exception.

“It boasts a number of sustainable building features, including rainwater harvesting, solar panels to help power the building, and environmentally-friendly building materials.

“A wildflower roof on top of the auditorium will flower between April and October every year and bat and bird boxes built into the building facades will enhance the biodiversity of the whole site.