6:20PM Firm to help house students with Opal Propety Group

An EC Harris scheme to build student housing in Hoxton, London, has won planning permission. The £40m development for student accommodation developer Opal Property Group will feature 514 bedrooms spread over seven storeys. EC Harris is the project manager and construction is being handled under a design and build contract by HG. Construction work is due to start in January 2007 and the building is to be complete by 2008. Property adviser GVA Grimley acquired the land for Opal.

Opal's acquisition manager for London, John Grayer, said: "The scheme forms part of our exciting growth strategy of developing quality accommodation throughout the UK."