A university vice-chancellor has hit back at claims a planned student housing development would price lower-income students off campus.

The former Park Village residence at the University of Sussex is set to be replaced with a new £200 million development, which will add some 1,900 new beds to the on-campus accommodation.

Along with student housing, the development will have a study space, a health and wellbeing centre and social and shop spaces, including a supermarket and cafe.

Several buildings have already been demolished to make way for it.

However, students expressed anger as the plans would see what was once the cheapest accommodation on campus, at £95 a week, replaced with housing estimated to cost more than £180 a week.

The Argus: Professor Sasha Roseneil, vice-chancellor at the University of SussexProfessor Sasha Roseneil, vice-chancellor at the University of Sussex (Image: University of Sussex)

In an exclusive interview with The Argus Professor Sasha Roseneil, vice-chancellor at the university, she said the old buildings being replaced were “at the end of their life”.

She said: “They were built in the 1960s and 70s and built to different specifications. The rooms were very small and there were no en-suite bathrooms which students really want these days and there was no social space in any of the buildings. Student expectations have really changed and the quality of the buildings had really deteriorated over the years.”

However, she also said Sussex was committed to ensuring people from all backgrounds can live on campus.

Prof Roseneil said: “The reality is that a lot of student accommodation in the city is much more expensive than our on-campus accommodation, especially with private providers.

“If students are renting accommodation on campus they don’t take a whole year contract and that actually works out cheaper for students.

“Students from low-income backgrounds can get housing on campus at the lowest prices and not just at the lowest cost accommodation. We are keen not to segregate students in lower-cost housing, we don’t want to ghettoise students.

“It is a complex picture but I am very aware that the cost of living crisis is having a very serious effect on students.”

Demolition of the former Park Village accommodation is expected to continue over the new academic year to make way for the planned development.