Gloucester City Council’s Planning Committee approved the project this week which construction data specialist Barbour ABI has valued at £20m.
Construction work is scheduled to begin on site in May with investigation, enabling and strip-out works already underway.
The first staff and students – mainly from the School of Health and Social Care – are set to begin using the new teaching facilities from September 2023.
University of Gloucestershire Vice-Chancellor, Stephen Marston, said: “We’re delighted that the City Council have endorsed our plans for the redevelopment of this iconic building, and we can now move forward at pace to bring our vision for the City Campus to life.”
Phase one plans include development of the ground floor, lower ground floor and first floor of the building. They include learning and teaching spaces equipped with the latest technology, a University library, Student Helpzones and a dedicated faith space.
On the lower ground floor, a large lecture theatre will also act as a conferencing and exhibition space.
A ground floor café will look out onto King’s Square, and the University is progressing plans with Gloucestershire County Council for a new public library on the ground floor.
A multi-disciplinary design team led by ADP worked closely with staff and students to finalise the phase one plans. They will work with Morgan Sindall to deliver the redevelopment project.