THE Hereford university project says it is ready for “serious discussion” over a major city centre re-development plan for student accommodation.

Hereford-based architects Hook Mason has put its plans for accommodation blocks in the Aubrey Street and Berrington Street area on the internet video sharing website, YouTube.

Hook Mason is acting for Sheffield-based developers Provincial House (Sheffield) Ltd.

Hook Mason and Provincial House have yet to respond to requests for comment by the Hereford Times.

But David Sheppard, co-leader with the university project, said approaches made over the accommodation plan warranted “serious discussion”

as to its suitability within the overall NMITE (New Model in Technology & Engineering) project.

NMITE, which received support from government and leading universities last month, is expected to see the first 300 students on its Hereford city centre campus by September 2017. It will teach a technology and engineering curriculum that, in placing applied engineering innovation at its core, will focus on the defence, security and cyber, agri-technology sectors.

A related small and medium enterprise-focused facility will operate at Skylon Park in Rotherwas.

Confirmation came with a list of likely NMITE locations including the Buttermarket, the old Odeon cinema, Maylord shopping centre and the former Chadds building.

From an initial intake of 300, NMITE is expected to have 5,000 students living in accommodation located around the city.