University of Staffordshire’s Student Village Hub celebrates topping out milestone

STAFFORDSHIRE, UK – University of Staffordshire’s Student Village Hub has reached its highest point in construction, marking a major milestone for Plenary Group’s first UK project. 

The Staffordshire University Student Village joint venture partnership between the University of Staffordshire, HOCHTIEF and Plenary will see the completion of a 21,000 square feet student village hub, new and refurbished bedrooms, and a pedestrian bridge at Staffordshire University’s Stoke-on-Trent campus.

The student village is due to be completed in time for the student intake in September 2026.

Built by Willmott Dixon and designed by Corstorphine & Wright, the village hub will include accessible and low-energy study spaces, social and welfare facilities as well as student accommodation services spread across four levels.

Work has also started on the residential phases of the development, which includes 700 new-build student bedrooms in cluster blocks and town houses, as well as the refurbishment of a further 300 bedrooms of existing student accommodation.

A new footbridge and boardwalk across the River Trent will link the student village to the university campus.

At the topping out event, Willmott Dixon Construction Manager Chris White presented a plaque to University of Staffordshire Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Martin Jones.

Professor Jones said: “With sustainability and wellbeing at its heart, the student village will provide more than high-quality accommodation – it will create a vibrant campus community where students can connect, grow and achieve their best.

“It is incredibly exciting to see the project’s progress and we can’t wait to welcome students into the student village when it is completed next year.”

HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions UK and Ireland Managing Director Ian Prescott said: “We are very proud to reach this first significant milestone just 12 months since being awarded the contract by the University of Staffordshire.

“We have developed a low-energy and low-carbon solution for the entire village, ensuring sustainability and carbon reduction are at the heart of the design, build and operation, in line with the University’s carbon neutral targets for 2030. We’re looking forward to seeing the village hub and student accommodation used and enjoyed by students next utumn term.”

Plenary Group CEO Paul Crowe said: “We are excited to be collaborating with the university and the other partners on our first UK project. I’ve seen firsthand the strong progress that has been made and look forward to seeing that good work continue as the project team works towards realising the university’s vision.”

Willmott Dixon Operations Director Dan Doyle said: “Topping out of the village hub marks a proud milestone on a project that’s already creating a lasting legacy, not just for the University of Staffordshire, but for the wider community of Stoke-on-Trent.

“The village hub, and the wider student village development, are supporting local jobs, enriching lives, providing work experience opportunities for local young people and are ultimately strengthening connections between the university and the people of Stoke-on-Trent. We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact this project is already having, and will continue to have, for years to come.”