WINCHESTER University celebrated a milestone by breaking ground on the site of its new learning and teaching centre last week.

The design – which will be built on existing space within the West Downs campus on Romsey Road – includes a 250-seat auditorium, art gallery, café, food hall, library, social learning areas and teaching spaces.

The development aims to provide state-of-the-art facilities to improve the quality of teaching space and meet the changing demands of higher education.

It will be home to ‘Digital Futures’, the university’s computer and digital-related degree programmes.

Winchester-based architects Design Engine have designed the new £50million building, which is set to open ahead of the 2019-2020 academic year.

The ceremony was attended by Professor Joy Carter, vice-chancellor; TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh, who is also chancellor at the university; and Andy Steele, CEO of Osborne, the construction company undertaking the build.

Mr Steele presented Prof Carter and Mr Titchmarsh with an engraved spade to commemorate the occasion.

Prof Carter said: “It’s a really important investment in our future and we really look forward to that with confidence.

“This is the gateway to the city and it is really bringing the university into the heart of the city.

“Lots of the facilities will also be open to members of the public.”

Prof Carter also emphasised the building’s green credentials, which will include a wildflower roof.

Andy Steele, chief executive at Osborne, said: “This is an exciting phase in our partnership as we provide the new teaching and learning building for the University of Winchester. We are pleased to be part of this groundbreaking ceremony as a first step in this important project.”

Richard Jobson, founding director of Design Engine, added: “We are thrilled to see the West Downs scheme move one step closer to fruition. This is our fifth major project for the University of Winchester and we look forward to working closely with the client team and main contractor Osborne to deliver a landmark building.

“All recent university developments meet the highest environmental standards and the new development is no exception.

“It boasts a number of sustainable building features, including rainwater harvesting, solar panels to help power the building and environmentally-friendly building materials.

“A wildflower roof on top of the auditorium will flower between April and October every year and bat and bird boxes built into the building facades will enhance the biodiversity of the whole site.”

Mr Titchmarsh said: “It is a fantastic facility, I think it is going to quite drastically change the university.

“I am delighted to say the garden has a water feature. As someone involved with the land and landscaping, I’m delighted this site is being designed with an eye to the future.

“It is a place where we can bring together what we like to call ‘town and gowns’.”