Aston University village is just for students

These artist's images depict the new student village being created on the Aston University Campus in Birmingham as part of a £214 million development.

There will be 2,350 new rooms created on the university campus at Gosta Green in Aston with a further 650 existing rooms at the Lakeside halls refurbished.

The first phase of work, costing £57m has already been completed, with the first students moving into their new accommodation.

Property management company, the Derwent Living Group Ltd, which manages more than 11,000 properties across the country has now signed up as one of the trustees that will run and maintain the development

Paul Wisher, commercial director, said: "Construction of the first phase of 1,300 rooms has just been completed for occupation this term, with the next phase of 1,000 rooms being due for completion by August 2013.

"The project will also provide a new artificial five-a-side football pitch and a below ground level car park with 250 spaces at the university."

The development will increase student accommodation on the Aston University campus by more than 40 per cent.

Current university accommodation blocks Lawrence Tower and Dalton Tower , which date back to the 1970s, will be demolished as part of the scheme.

The project is being brought forward by the university, in partnership with the Bank of Scotland, along with the Derwent Living Group.

All are trustees of Aston Student Villages, a charity that will manage 3,000 new student rooms for the next 35 years.

The development has been funded by the Bank of Scotland, part of Lloyds Banking Group. Alastair Hewgill, chief financial officer of Aston University and trustee of the student village, said: "We are delighted that Derwent Living Group is involved in this important project.

"It has already seamlessly taken over the facilities management of the residences and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership."