I didn’t go to University, so in a way I feel I missed out on the student experience of studying and living away from home. But universities have certainly been a big part of my working life over the last year or two. Representing Longlevens, the Oxstalls Campus falls within my patch and I have spent a lot of time dealing with issues arising from their expansion plans – primarily the relocation of their Business School from Cheltenham to Gloucester.

Taking the University to another level
It wasn’t that long ago that Gloucester had no higher education facility. The Oxstalls Campus had been closed and residents had to fight off its proposed development as a Tesco supermarket. Sadly, two of the main campaigners – Dr Evelyn Christmas and Jim Porter – passed away last year.

The Campus opened when I was Sheriff of Gloucester in 2003, with a focus on niche subjects like Sports Science and Event Management. The Business School will take it to another level. It’s not without its controversy, particularly over student parking, but plans to relocate the nearby allotments have thankfully been dropped.

Some of the Business School students will live on-site at Oxstalls, but the majority will live in the city centre, helping to regenerate Gloucester and giving the daytime and night-time economy a boost. By the time you read this, the Council’s Planning Committee will be due to consider an application for 295 student beds on land at the Barbican (between the former Prison and Ladybellegate Street). The developers will have to move quickly, as the accommodation needs to be ready for when the Business School is due to open in September 2018.

Providing opportunities for young people
As well as the University of Gloucestershire, both Hartpury College and the University of the West of England have students living in the city.

Gloucester’s MP Richard Graham tells us that no city has ever regenerated itself fully without the involvement of its university. I’m pleased that our higher education partners are playing a big role in Gloucester’s revival as well as providing opportunities for our young people