Gateway 2 approval has now been secured from the Building Safety Regulator, clearing the way for the replacement of the ageing 1960s complex with 2,009 new student rooms across a series of two to nine-storey blocks.

It ranks as B+K’s second major student project to achieve Gateway 2 this month following approval of a over 500-bed scheme in Bristol.

The Norr Architectural-designed Castle Leaze scheme will be delivered in two phases.

Phase one will provide 788 beds ready for the 2028/29 academic year, with the remaining rooms following in time for the 2029/30 intake.

B+K began demolition and enabling works in June 2024 and says it has already generated £9.6m of social value through local employment, supply chain spend, community initiatives and training opportunities.

North East and `Scotland regional director Ed Besford said: “Castle Leazes is a landmark redevelopment project and we are delighted to be supporting our long-standing clients Unite Students and Newcastle University.

“Our team worked hard to support the Gateway 2 process and we are pleased to have been given the green light, marking our third approval from the regulator in six months.”

Temple Reach PBSA development

Two weeks ago the contractor’s Western team secured Gateway 2 sign-off for the 22-storey Temple Reach PBSA development, which it will deliver for developer Cubex.

The 22-storey scheme will provide 531 student rooms alongside 4,300 sq ft of workspace on a former industrial site close to the River Avon, helping link the University of Bristol’s Enterprise Campus with the waterfront.