UCLan plans new Vet School building
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is planning to create a state-of-the-art building to house Lancashire’s only Veterinary School.
Subject to securing future planning permission, the four-storey property will be home to the 11th Veterinary School in the UK and will be a base for students and staff on foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in areas such as veterinary medicine, bioveterinary science, veterinary clinical practice, veterinary physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and clinical animal behaviour and training.
It will be constructed on what is currently UCLan’s Greenbank Car Park, off Victoria Street, based at the Preston Campus.
Across three floors, high-specification anatomical skills laboratories will be created alongside simulated clinical facilities including a pharmacy, diagnostic suite, and simulated operating theatres.
A microscopy laboratory and dental room will also be built alongside a variety of teaching rooms and office spaces.
In addition, the project will also see a refurbishment of a ground floor section of Greenbank Building. It will include kennel facilities, simulated consultation rooms and a rehabilitation suite in addition to other veterinary teaching and clinical skills’ facilities.
The Greenbank Building refurbishments should be ready to welcome the first cohort of Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) students in September 2023 while the new building is planned to be completed by September 2024.
Dr Heather Bacon OBE, Veterinary Clinical Senior Lecturer, said: “As the newest School of Veterinary Medicine in the UK, we are striving to create the very best in teaching and learning facilities.
“Our flagship five-year BVMS course is an innovative programme which is ‘hands-on’ from Year 1, rather than in later years as delivered in more traditional programmes. This means we need a state-of-the-art building which will house world-class clinical simulation and teaching spaces utilising cutting-edge veterinary technology to support our integrated and practical approach to veterinary education.”
UCLan Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin added: “As only the second Vet School in the north of England, our plan to create a physical home for our innovative and dynamic new School of Veterinary Medicine demonstrates our commitment to creating the veterinary workforce of the future.”
The University is collaborating with UCLan’s Associate School, Myerscough College and University Centre, and with veterinary partners across the region to deliver programmes of study. Myerscough has been delivering land-based education for more than 125 years and has experience in delivering a range of veterinary nursing, animal science, equine science and agriculture degrees. UCLan’s students will benefit from Myerscough’s renowned animal husbandry facilities which have underpinned their established Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons accredited vet nursing programmes.
The School of Veterinary Medicine is being established on an ethical basis with a commitment to sustainability and the new building meets BREEAM accreditation standards.
Before submitting the planning document to Preston City Council, the University will contact local residents, close to the area on Victoria Street, and host a drop-in event in UCLan’s Greenbank Foyer between 4.00pm and 7.00pm on 14 June. If passed by the planning committee later this year, construction work could start as early as March 2023.