The university will shortly finalise basic designs for the ambitious project and submit a planning application for seven buildings containing 762-bed student accommodation blocks and a separate hotel and conference centre complex at Chaucer Fields.

The two-year building job is expected to start this September.

The proposed buildings will be between two and four storeys high, stepped to minimise the height and views of the development.

They will be built into the slope and will be partly screened by trees and landscaping.

Most of the student accommodation will be shared apartments located in five blocks, each four storeys high. Two other blocks contain student rooms in townhouses and a number of one-bedroom flats.

Interested firms have until 4 April to obtain prequalification documents from Faithful and Gould, which is acting as the university’s agent. Contact Matt Eadesby calling 01892510500 or email [email protected]