Funding partner sought for 1,026-bed student scheme in Kent

The scheme secured planning approval in 2023 and one block on the site, comprising 91 beds, has already been completed and occupied. The university entered a sale and leaseback on the block, forward-funded by a major life fund.

Construction on the additional beds can begin in the first quarter of 2026, with practical completion in the second quarter of 2028, in time for the start of the 2028-29 academic year.

Real estate consultancy Medbourne has been appointed to lead the funding search on behalf of the developer, which is local and declined to be named. Planning documents show the scheme was designed by Nottingham-based architect Church Lukas.

Inside Housing understands the developer is seeking the funding and the university is not involved in the project.

A potential buyer could acquire the scheme as a whole or as individual blocks, Medbourne said.

Canterbury is home to both the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, and around one in five of the city’s 55,000 residents are students.

Earlier this month Brookfield Asset Management, one of the world’s largest owners of real estate, bought a 1,300-bed portfolio of houses across the UK in multiple occupation for use as student accommodation for £100m.

Meanwhile, two London-based investors, Valpre Capital and Katch Investment Group, said they will build a 1,500-bed portfolio of student accommodation across the UK, with a target gross development value of £500m.