UCL considers alternative sites in Stratford for university quarter

University College London (UCL) and the London Borough of Newham (LBN) have today announced that whilst UCL remains committed to Stratford as the location for its new university quarter, it has not been possible for the two parties to reach an agreement regarding the Carpenters Estate. UCL will therefore no longer be pursuing the Carpenters proposition.

UCL has however reaffirmed its commitment to developing in Stratford, and Newham Council has made clear that it remains supportive of UCL’s ambitions to establish a major presence in the Borough. UCL’s estates strategy, set out in its Bloomsbury Masterplan, outlines why the university needs to expand away from its historic home if it is to meet demands on space and fulfil its mission as one of the world’s leading universities.

Professor Malcolm Grant, UCL President and Provost, said:“Regrettably, UCL and LBN have not been able to bring their discussions to a successful conclusion in relation to the Carpenters Estate. This was an ambitious but extremely complex proposal and the process of intensive and lengthy examination has led us both to conclude that we cannot reach a commercial agreement.

“However, the process has reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to establishing a UCL presence in Stratford. UCL has ambitious plans for growth in the coming years as we move beyond the capacity of our central London location to meet the demand for suitable space to support the development of world-class teaching and research. We remain confident of the benefits a presence in Stratford would deliver both to UCL and the local community, and we will continue to work closely with Newham Council and other stakeholders to make this ambitious project happen.”