Waveney set to make way for new residences EXCLUSIVE
WAVENEY TERRACE could be demolished to make way for new student residences if campus chiefs get their way. The breeze-block zig-zag has been put on their hit list after a buildings survey revealed that it could cost so much to refurbish that starting from scratch is the only sensible move. 'We need to look at Waveney and decide whether we can deliver what students need with the existing buildings," revealed Jenny Grant, UEA's Director of Residences and Services. "If we can't refurbish, can we build instead?"
Sensible And she insisted that the Waveney site is the only sensible place for the University to build new student rooms - especially as English Heritage have applied to have the Ziggurats listed, making them untouchable. "We have to maintain Norfolk and Suffolk Terrace, because they could be listed, but we don't imagine that they are going to want to list Waveney. "And it's in the area where we would want to build. it's the best site for residential buildings," added Mrs Grant.
Scrap Students seem in favour of the plans to scrap the ageing residences. "lt must be the worst accommodation on campus. lt
won't be missed," said Tom Whalley (LLT PG) And Vanessa Betsou (LLT 1) was even harsher in her criticism of the bargain rooms. "I think they should demolish it, because the rooms are like prison cells. lt's not as nice as Nelson or Constable." The shock news comes as the University confirmed a massive refurbishment plan as part of this year's rent settlement with the Union.
路 Rents Under the deal, rents will rise by 3.3 per cent but in return campus bosses will double the number of fridges in residences following a Concrete campaign to improve kitchen conditions. "We've always had plans to gradually improve refrigeration, but I think it really became an issue this academic year," conceded Mrs Grant. "The Union suggested we bring things forward and do it all at once, because otherwise you end up with some people having a better deal "than others. I'm pleased we came to a good
solution." Maintenance staff will also be working over the summer on Norfolk and Suffolk Terrace, performing large scale structural work to fix leaking roofs, and continuing work on Nelson Court and Constable Terrace to put right faulty shower pods. Union Welfare Officer Claire Kober is confident she got the best deal going. "We've got an agreement that University will only raise rents a maximum of 1.5 per cent above inflation, and that's important for students of today and tomorrow," said Claire. "The fridge situation was completely unacceptable, and we've now got fridge capacity doubled in all the older reisdences."
Good deal And she said that {lespite the rise, campus accommodation was probably still a good deal. 'We compared the rents with private sector around Norwich, and rents are quite fair compared to a hell of a lot of other places," insisted Claire.
Candidate A: Candidate B: Candidate C: Can't be arsed:
D
D D
~