Defence Online

Plans to demolish part of Northumbria University and erect a four-storey extension in its place look set to be given the green light. New images of the scheme have also been revealed.Northumbria University’s Rutherford Hall is currently used for lectures, seminars and examinations.Proposals set go before Newcastle City Council outline the university’s ambitions to tear the property down and build a four-storey extension of the Ellison Building.If the plans are approved, the university’s computer information services department would relocate from the Pandon Building to the new purpose built facility.The building would comprise teaching lab spaces and office accommodation for academics and students, and would be roughly circular in shape in a bid to respond to the curved wall feature of the existing Rutherford Hall.Internally, the design would allow for a more open plan arrangement deemed “more appropriate for the modern learning environment”.The extension would add about 26,300 extra sq ft to the Ellison Building.Northumbria University believes that development would create new academic offices for approximately 50 staff, research desk space for about 54 users, and IT teaching rooms, laboratories and spaces for an undefined number of students.The extension would not lead to any increase in staff or students, but would instead consolidate existing facilities.Newcastle City Council, which will meet to make a decision on the application on 19 August, has been recommended to grant approval.