Planning submitted for first Guildford scheme and Swansea PBSA

Watkin Jones, the UK's leading developer and manager of residential for rent homes, with a focus on the build to rent (BtR), co-living and student accommodation (PBSA) sectors, is pleased to announce submission of planning applications for its first PBSA scheme in Guildford, as well as submission for a PBSA scheme in Swansea.

The £60m GDV scheme in Guildford is supported by the University of Surrey and would offer a superb lifestyle for up to 366 students in 105 studios and 261 en suite rooms with communal kitchens. The site, on Walnut Tree Close, is currently a dated office block and is located a convenient 10-minute walk from the main campus of the University of Surrey, as well as Guildford rail station.

A formal consultation is underway on the plans, which include over 684 sq metres of flexible commercial space on the ground floor of the development. This is expected to be used as an incubator for new businesses, or for flexible working, offering new employment opportunities in the city.

The £35m GDV scheme in Swansea, Ty Nant, previously housed the Valuation Office Agency and is situated next to Swansea railway station in the city centre. This is Watkin Jones’ second PBSA scheme in the city, following the successful delivery of the nearby 967-bed St David’s scheme.

Both buildings are planned to feature extensive water, carbon and energy saving sustainability features and are targeting a BREEAM “excellent” rating for the student space.

"There is real need for sustainable and high- quality accommodation in both Guildford and Swansea that will offer students a fantastic experience, while freeing up family homes for local people. We are also excited to include flexible commercial space in our proposal for Guildford to meet the growing need for adaptable workplaces that can foster enterprise and agile companies.

Institutional and resident interest in UK purpose-built student accommodation remains at record levels. Institutions are actively seeking the highest-quality and most sustainable rental assets that will deliver strong long-term returns. And after the experience of COVID-19, students and their families want a professionally managed living experience with excellent support on-site."

Alex Pease Chief Investment Officer of Watkin Jones

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Watkin Jones is the UK's leading developer and manager of residential for rent, with a focus on the Build to Rent and student accommodation sectors. The Group has strong relationships with institutional investors, and a reputation for successful, on-time-delivery of high-quality developments. Since 1999, Watkin Jones has delivered 43,000 student beds across 130 sites, making it a key player and leader in the UK purpose-built student accommodation market. In addition, the Fresh Property Group, the Group's specialist accommodation management company, manages around 20,000 student beds and Build to Rent apartments on behalf of its institutional clients. Watkin Jones has also been responsible for over 80 residential developments, ranging from starter homes to executive housing and apartments. The Group is increasingly expanding its operations into the Build to Rent sector.

The Group's competitive advantage lies in its experienced management team and business model, which enables it to offer an end-to-end solution for investors, delivered entirely in-house with minimal reliance on third parties, across the entire life cycle of an asset. Watkin Jones was admitted to trading on AIM in March 2016 with the ticker WJG.L.