Henry Boot Construction has started work on a £15.8 million renovation project for the University of Leicester.

The contractor is regenerating the historic Brookfield House building on London Road as part of the University's £500m 10-year investment programme to improve student facilities as well as public spaces.

Features include renovating the site, including the main house, to create a new home for the University's School of Business, with the newly named 'Bookfield campus' to contain a variety of teaching and social learning spaces.

In addition, the scheme will involve removing a 20th century extension and replacing it with a more architecturally sympathetic gabled building to provide a brand new lecture theatre and seminar rooms. The stable block and courtyard area will also be restored using traditional materials.

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Further works will include landscaping improvements such as additional ornamental and tree planting, a new pond and a network of paths throughout the site.

Brita Sread, Director of Estates and Campus Services at the University of Leicester, said: "The University is leading on a number of development projects, but the Brookfield project is special because of the opportunity it provides to give this historic house a new lease of life.

"We're very pleased to welcome Henry Boot Construction to the team and see the works get underway. The finished scheme is going to provide an exceptional environment for the University of Leicester School of Business to flourish, as well as offering a welcoming environment for the wider community."

Tony Shaw, Operations Director at Henry Boot Construction, added: "We are delighted to be commencing on site at the Brookfield Campus. This is a very important project for the University of Leicester School of Business and we will work closely as a team to deliver a high quality educational facility that everyone can be proud of."

(LM/MH)