Defence Online

Plans to demolish part of Northumbria University and erect a four-storey extension in its place have been approved.Northumbria University’s Rutherford Hall is currently used for lectures, seminars and examinations.Proposals approved by Newcastle City Council outline the university’s ambitions to tear the property down and build a four-storey extension of the Ellison Building.The university’s computer information services department is now set to relocate from the Pandon Building to the purpose built facility.The building will comprise teaching lab spaces and office accommodation for academics and students, and is expected to be roughly circular in shape in a bid to respond to the curved wall feature of the existing Rutherford Hall.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.