UEA accommodation reopening after being affected by RAAC
By: Communications
The University of East Anglia (UEA) is reopening three of its RAAC (Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete) affected accommodation buildings ready for the start of the next academic year.
Top floor accommodation in Nelson Court and Constable Terrace will reopen for students in September, with over 150 rooms having been closed since last year following the change in Government guidance around RAAC in September 2023. A further 60 visitor rooms in Broadview Lodge will be reopening later this month.
Image: Broadview Lodge accommodation
All students joining UEA for Welcome Week in September will have university accommodation available to them, with options both on and off campus.
Stephen Wells, Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to reopen some of our RAAC-affected accommodation after just a year. UEA campus is unique and something we are extremely proud of, so we want to be able to provide an on-campus living experience for as many of our students as we can.”
Over 700 UEA students were rehomed within two weeks, with the majority remaining on campus, and no students suffering a financial impact as a result of any change to their planned accommodation.
Working with structural engineering companies and building contractors, the team then carried out surveys and remedial works to identify issues and, where necessary, reinforce the RAAC inside rooms and corridors within Nelson Court, Constable Terrace and Broadview Lodge to ensure safety.
Image: Ceiling works
Stephen said: “I want to pay tribute to our estates and accommodation teams, who deserve a huge amount of credit. They moved extremely quickly to find alternative accommodation for our students last September and make a difficult situation for them as smooth as possible, and have performed similar great work to get a number of our buildings ready in time for the next academic year.”
The Grade-II* listed Ziggurats will remain closed for the next academic year, with discussions for both temporary and permanent solutions continuing between UEA, Historic England and the local planning authority.
Stephen said: “We are looking into all possible cost-effective options for the Ziggurats. The RAAC is more prevalent within them than any of our other buildings and the Grade-II* listed status of the buildings adds complexities. Of course, we would love to be able to reopen them, but the safety of our students is paramount, and we won’t be housing anyone in Norfolk or Suffolk Terrace until it is absolutely safe to do so.”
Image: Stephen Wells, Director of Estates and Facilities at UEA
Following the change in government guidelines around RAAC in September 2023, UEA estates and facilities team identified the concrete in the roofs of in Nelson Court, Constable Terrace and Norfolk and Suffolk Terrace (the Ziggurats) on campus.
Peter Doughty, a first-year Computer Science student, was moved from the Ziggurats into Constable Terrace last September.
Image: Peter Doughty, a first-year Computer Science student at UEA
Peter said: “Constable Terrace has been great, there has been very little disturbance from the works. UEA has absolutely looked after me, I’m paying the same rent as before for a much larger accommodation, and they have kept me informed the entire time.
“I would just like to say a personal thanks to the UEA staff for the support throughout the experience and I am looking forward to second year.”