Archive for category: Estate Services

The University of Leeds Research Farm has ploughed a new trail as a specialist events venue after receiving top marks from the organisers of a leading agricultural conference.

Agricultural experts and farmers from across the country travelled to the farm near Tadcaster for Tillage-Live, the UK’s largest cultivations event.

Organised by Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), Tillage-Live is a crop-field demonstration that attracts industry-leading names such as John Deere, Horsch UK and Vaderstad and their associated dealerships, together with representation from a wide range of agricultural suppliers and technology providers.

Providing the ideal space 

What sets the event apart is the depth and breadth of the demonstration, covering all aspects of crop establishment.

The demonstration visitors the chance to watch multiple exhibitors in action across field-scale plots in one location at the same time.

With over 750 acres of land and state-of-the-art facilities, the site provided organisers with everything they needed to create a successful event.

Establishing the farm as an events venue

It is hoped that Tillage-Live will be the catalyst for more farming and agricultural conferences and events to be hosted at the farm.

Philip Dougill, Head of Asset Management at the University said: “We were keen to support our licensee farmers, Hartley Farming and farm managers Velcourt Ltd, when they brought the proposal to us to host Tillage-Live at the farm.

“The University has worked hard over the last four years to improve its facilities and is keen to continue to boost its profile as a model commercial farm acting as a platform for research and teaching.”

Kayleigh Holden, Event Organiser from the Agricultural Engineers Association said: “The Agricultural Engineers Association were delighted with the site and the cooperation of the University, farmers, and contractors to deliver the National Cultivations Demonstration in September.

“The combination of location, proximity to the national road network, soil type, layout and the on-site team all helped Tillage-Live to be a success.”

Find out more about the University of Leeds Research Farm.

The University of Leeds campus is officially ‘blooming great’ again after retaining a prestigious environmental prize.

It has scooped Gold and is the winner in the Universities, Colleges and Further Establishments category at this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom awards for the third year running.

Commending hard work of colleagues

Judges recognised the high standard to which campus is maintained and were impressed with the ‘unexpected’ high variety of flora and fauna growing in an inner-city space.

They also commended the long-term hard work of University colleagues, labelling the current shape of campus as the ‘result of the careful planning and actions of dedicated staff over many years’.

Efforts to keep campus in tip-top shape all-year are led by the Estates, Sustainability and Residential Services teams, who work together to both maintain current spaces and plan how to make campus more biodiverse in the future.

Sustainability’s key role in entry

Sustainability has been a central part of this year’s submission, with judges recognising the positive impact of wildlife habitats created and introduced through the Urban Buzz Project.

The positive impact the University has on biodiversity isn’t confined by the grounds of the campus. The North Hill Well Wood Project, which runs in the Headingley Hill area, received praise for its role as an integral part of teaching and learning for students.

Yorkshire in Bloom – the regional body representing the Britain in Bloom – organises its annual competition encouraging schools, businesses, and other community groups to create pleasant natural environments around them.

Sean Craven, Outside Spaces Manager said: “’This award recognises hard work put in by the Grounds and Gardens team all year round in all weather conditions.

“We try to create a campus that offers something for everyone, from formal lawns and planting, to wildflower areas that encourage pollinators and biodiversity.”

Mike Howroyd from the Sustainability team said: “Winning Gold for a third year in a row is a proud moment, as it reflects the dedication we’ve all put into enhancing biodiversity and sustainability across the campus.

“The award highlights how our collaborative approach to landscaping and managing our green spaces can create thriving ecosystems in an urban setting, that are climate resilient and also benefit nature and our community.”

Mike Leonard, Residential Property Manager, said: “This work demonstrates what we can achieve when we all work together, from Grounds and Gardens, Sustainability and Residential Services, to the landscape architects, ground maintenance contractors, student sustainability architects, charities and our volunteers

“The judge was impressed by what he saw on his visit, but also with the depth of evidence that was supplied about the various aspects of managing the University’s estate, including the engagement of staff and students.

“We hosted Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Corporate Members’ event on campus last year, and they were clearly enthused by what they saw and have subsequently commented on LinkedIn about what we do on campus.”

More info

Read more about the work of our Grounds and Gardens team and Residential Services in keeping campus looking its best.

You can also find out more about volunteering for the Hill Well Wood Project.

Staff, students, and visitors to campus may notice some new additions alongside the University’s blue plaques – with one key difference.

The first group of new green plaques, which recognise the influential role students have played in developing important campus projects, have been installed at four University locations.

Student-led projects being celebrated include the accessible lift in the Parkinson building, the Postgraduate Research Lounge, the Women in STEM Conference and a common lounge for commuter students.

Improving campus for everyone

Similar in style to the well-established blue plaque initiative, each details the role individual students have made towards getting a project off the ground, whether through activism, campaigning or by working with Leeds University Union.

The scheme has been developed by the Estates team and Leeds University Union to recognise the contributions students are making to the future development of campus.

Ann Allen, Director of Campus Innovation & Development said:

“Our campus is only relevant because of all the amazing things our students and staff undertake here at Leeds. Celebrating the successes through the Green Plaques is so exciting as it makes both people and place relevant.

“As we reshape the campus through Campus Reimagined we want to keep learning from all our University communities to make sure we are achieving our aim of creating amazing spaces on campus that are sustainable, inclusive, and innovative.”

Where can I find the plaques?

The first plaque is located at the entrance of the new Postgraduate Research Lounge on the second floor of the Refectory.

It marks the work carried out by Polly Galis, Abiha Khan, Vicky Zhuo and Rimsha to lobby for a dedicated space for postgraduate researchers.

The second plaque is located in EC Stoner.

It recognises Susan Preston’s work in campaigning for more inclusion for commuter students, include the creation of a specialised common lounge.

Another plaque has been installed outside of the Mechanical Engineering Building.

It details Farida Al Wakeel’s work to create the Women in STEM Conference.

The final plaque is located outside of the Parkinson Building,.

It celebrates Gem Turner’s successful campaign to install an accessible lift outside of the building.

Read more about the green plaque initiative.

A collaborative project between Estates and the Sustainability Service is a step closer to discovering if geothermal energy underground campus can be used to heat buildings after reaching a major milestone.

The geothermal drilling stage of the project has now been completed at locations across campus and has provided experts with promising early results.

Testing of open and closed-loop boreholes has shown indications of excellent geothermal capacity and of possible optimal groundwater yield, which are both indicators of thepotential for geothermal energy underground.

If successful, the project could provide a clean, sustainable source of heat that reduces our reliance on both fossil fuels and electricity.

Drilling is continuing to take place on pilot wells on campus, which are helping to understand the ground model for geothermal drilling works.

Work will continue until the end of July, however the space required for operations will continue to be reduced over time.

Manhole chambers for closed-loop boreholes have now been installed at the Mechanical Engineering Building, Henry Price Residences and the Maurice Keyworth Building and returned to the University.

The project, which is part of the University’s Net Zero Delivery Plan, is bringing together experts from the Facilities Directorate and the academic community alongside specialists from ANTS Drilling and engineering firm Buro Happold.

David Oldroyd, Interim Director of Development at the University of Leeds, said: “This is an exciting collaborative project, with partners from both inside and outside of the University working closely together to make positive progress

“This work has the potential to save money, provide a more sustainable way of heating campus in line with the University’s Net Zero goals and set an example for future energy innovation.”

Find out more by visiting our project page and the Sustainability Services’s website.

Image credit: Ben Craven

Interior designers at the University of Leeds have given several buildings on campus a new year’s makeover as part of efforts to provide students and staff with more flexible spaces to work, meet and study.

Spaces in the Refectory, Cavendish Road and the Maurice Keyworth Building are among those that have been re-designed by the team. Find out more about the work below:

Postgraduate Research Lounge

Located on the first floor of the Refectory Building, the Postgraduate Research Lounge is a new dedicated study and meeting space for postgraduate research students. Interior designers have completed a full redecoration of the space, providing a brighter and more versatile area for students. The team worked closely with Leeds University Union throughout the design process to make sure that the space met the needs of students.

Cavendish Road

Students from the School of English can now use their own dedicated study and collaborative space at Cavendish Road. The redecorated space on the top floor of the building has been kitted out with new furniture and has been designed to allow students to feel comfortable studying independently or collaboratively.

Leeds University Union ground floor

A new area next to the Leeds University Union helpdesk provides students with additional space to meet and work together. The space includes new charging ports, furniture, and a monitor for collaborative working.

Maurice Keyworth Building

New furniture has been added to the foyer of the Maurice Keyworth Building as part of an ongoing trial, providing a more colourful and welcoming space for students, staff and visitors to meet.

Keep up to date with the latest development projects at the University of Leeds.