The University’s next phase of its ambitious development programme will bring a further £50m worth of campus improvements.

The on-going transformation of the campus landscape will enhance the student learning experience by providing world-class facilities and setting new standards for teaching and learning in the 21st century.

A £260m investment has already been made into improving buildings and facilities in the last five years.

Professor David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor, said: “Part of our strategy as a university is to continuously look at ways of improving our students’ learning experience. To do this we feel it is vital to invest in the buildings and facilities where we teach in order to provide an exceptional learning environment. This latest programme is particularly important for our sustainability agenda, and the reduction of our environmental footprint has been a priority during planning.”

Construction has started on the four new building projects at University Park, Sutton Bonington, Jubilee Campus and Grove Farm playing fields, with completion expected by 2015.

A £19m replacement for the George Green Science and Engineering Library at University Park will double the size of the existing library, which will get a new facade and extension.

The new Engineering and Science Library will increase student study and computer spaces as well as providing a new catering outlet.

At Sutton Bonington, the £9m construction of a three-storey amenities building will include a 500-seat dining hall, student common rooms and staff lounge and will also house the Graduate Centre, Faith Room and Student Guild Service. The double-height dining hall will create an airy environment with plenty of natural light.

Both will achieve a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘excellent’ rating for sustainable building design.

The latest landmark development on Jubilee Campus is the GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry.

The £20m carbon neutral building will set new standards for the development of laboratories. It will be built from natural materials and its energy needs will be met by renewable sources such as solar power and biofuel. Excess energy will provide enough carbon credits over 25 years to offset its construction and is being used to heat the nearby office development.

The lab’s researchers will focus being on sustainable chemistry delivering ‘less waste, and more product’, and train future PhD students to have a much greater appreciation of sustainability.

The University sports playing fields at Grove Farm by the River Trent will also benefit from a £5m investment in two new pavilions, providing replacement changing rooms.