The University of Essex is seeking a development partner to design, build and operate a new 750 bedroom student accommodation complex at its 42 acre Knowledge Gateway site.

The development, which the successful firm will also take through the planning stage, is intended to be ready for use in time for the start of the 2012/13 academic year.

In addition, the developer will be requested to consider the purchase and continued operation of an existing on-campus self-catered student residence totalling 766 bed spaces.

The deadline for pre-qualification questionnaires is 14 June, it’s expected that four firms will be invited to tender.