THE University of Winchester is close to completing new student housing in time for the next academic year.

Burma Road Student Village is due to be finished by the time new students start in September.

It includes 350 en suite bedrooms arranged into flats of six-eight rooms. The development also has seven bedrooms adapted for wheelchair users and facilities for the hearing impaired.

Security measures include a swipe card entry system, 24-hour first aid trained staff, CCTV and a police liaison.

Deputy vice-chancellor, Prof Neil Marriott, said: “We work very hard to provide high quality and affordable accommodation for our students.

“Winchester has a reputation for being an expensive city to live in and so it’s important to ensure that new students are not deterred from moving to Winchester and that the cost of accommodation for our current students remains at a reasonable level.

“We control the cost of rent as much as possible and our campus accommodation rents have only increased according to inflation, on average.”

Harry Stow, Winchester Student Union president, added: “Campus and university managed accommodation in the city centre and many privately run properties offer really good value for money. Rents include energy bills and free Wi-Fi and most accommodation is located within walking distance of the university campus.”

The student village also includes a two-floor fitness gym available for community use as well as students.