Orkney Campus - Student Accommodation

Introduction Heriot-Watt University currently has around 25 students based in the Orkney Campus. The Campus attracts a large number of British and international students each year. The University is committed to expanding the Campus and the target set in our Strategy 2025 is to grow the student numbers to at least 70. One of the main risks to this plan is the lack of a reliable supply of good quality, sustainable residential accommodation available for students. The Requirement To support the growth plans for the Orkney Campus the University has identified the need for 75 beds. Whilst it would be preferable to satisfy the 75-bed requirement in Stromness, it is recognised that the solution could be spread over more than one location, including areas outside of Stromness. Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, conversions of existing buildings and modular systems will all be considered suitable solutions to satisfy the University’s requirement. Our preference would be a single location solution but a distributed model delivering accommodation along the geographical stretch between Stromness and Kirkwall would be considered by the University. To satisfy the requirement, the University recognises that it may be advantageous for developers to form a partnership with others to deliver the solution and we welcome such a proposition. The Commitment The University’s knowledge of the demand for accommodation from both students and from other parties means we are confident that 75 beds will be filled quickly. However, the University is prepared to enter a Nominations Agreement with the successful bidder that will commit the University to a minimum of thirty-five (35) beds for an initial term of 10 years from the date the accommodation is formally handed over to the University. Private Housing Tenancies (Scotland) Act 2016 The University is acutely aware of the impact of the introduction of the Private Housing Tenancies (Scotland) Act 2016. To mitigate the risks, the University is willing to work with the successful bidder to mitigate the risks associated with private landlords delivering accommodation for students.