University plans £35m development BBC reports

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cited from BBC

A £35m development is proposed on a university campus on Tyneside.

Newcastle University has applied for planning permission for the building on the current car park at Barrass Bridge, next to the Northern Stage theatre.

The five-storey design incorporates a number of environmentally-friendly features and would house offices, student services and a visitor centre.

If the city council agrees, work could begin next spring with completion due in autumn 2009.

It is planned as a "one stop shop" for students and include careers, accommodation and welfare services, and there would also be administrative offices.

The building aims to generate about 10% of its energy needs from renewable sources, and its design would make air-conditioning unneccessary.

Professor Christopher Edwards, the university's vice chancellor, said: "The design of this high quality building is the result of a great deal of hard work over the last three years."