Morgan Sindall hands over first phase of University’s Vet School

A key milestone has been reached in the creation of new veterinary facilities at the University of Central Lancashire.

Morgan Sindall Construction’s North West team has completed the ground floor refurbishment of an existing building and handed it over to be used by the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

The new look Greenbank Building, on the University’s Preston Campus, includes simulated consultation rooms, a physiotherapy suite and a dedicated area for kennels.

Additionally, x-ray, ultrasound and diagnostic facilities have been provided, along with a hydrotherapy treadmill and physiotherapy suite for the rehabilitation of dogs.

Simulated operating theatres, diagnostic suites, dental rooms, and pharmacies have also been created while flexible teaching spaces have also been created through the use of moveable acoustic walls.

Dr Heather Bacon OBE, Dean of the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said:

This is another exciting step towards our aim of creating world-leading veterinary medicine facilities in Preston.

The refurbishment of the ground floor of Greenbank Building, which sits next to the site of the new build, has created some truly fantastic specialist areas. I know our students and staff are desperate to get in there and can’t wait to start teaching and learning there.

These innovative and technologically enhanced teaching facilities provide a fabulous opportunity to develop interprofessional education along with our Veterinary nursing colleagues at Myerscough College and University Centre, and we’re excited to offer a holistic suite of courses in animal science and veterinary education that offer career opportunities for a diverse range of students.”

Throughout construction, Greenbank Building remained a live site meaning Morgan Sindall liaised with the University to ensure security, site safety, along with students and staff safety, was paramount. The team also installed extensive fire protection and stopping to bring the building in line with current regulations.

Work continues on the construction of a four-storey, 50,000 square feet main building, which will host high-specification anatomical skills laboratories, microscopy labs and immersive teaching facilities.

When complete, it will provide a state-of-the-art centre of learning for students studying a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across veterinary and animal sciences.

The University’s flagship five-year Veterinary Medicine & Surgery degree course welcomed its first students in September 2023.

Incorporating the School’s strong ‘one health’ ethos and integration of sustainability goals, the new development aims to qualify for a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Simon Arnott, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Construction in the North said:

Our handover of the Greenbank refurbishment represents a significant milestone in our delivery of the Veterinary School. As a refurbishment project, close collaboration with the University’s team has been paramount in ensuring the Greenbank Building enhances the wider learning environment, and we’re pleased with what we have achieved together.

As we progress, we look forward to bringing the full Veterinary School to completion. This is a project that contributes to economic growth, brings skilled jobs to the region and improves the working environment for the wider University community, and so we’re delighted to be playing our part.”