In 2003, the University entered into an accommodation arrangement with UPP, a private sector provider, to work in partnership to design, build, fund, manage and operate over 4,000 student rooms on campus.

This Residences Project was a five-phase programme, consisting of both new builds and replacement of older, existing accommodation. Phases one to four are complete, consisting of just over 2000 rooms on the new Alexandra Park development on the southwest tip of campus and a further 1047 rooms on the main campus. 933 of the new rooms in Phase 4 are eco-friendly houses built from timber from sustainably managed sources and reduce the carbon footprint of the build by 30% when compared to traditional sites.

As part of the deal, the University provides 'soft' facilities management (Soft FM) services and UPP Residential Services Ltd (RSL) provides 'hard' facilities management services (Hard FM). The Facilities Service Delivery team are involved in administering and monitoring the contract and service provisions.

Soft FM services provided by Lancaster University

• portering
• on-campus security
• post/mail services
• cleaning
• waste disposal

Hard FM services provided by UPP

• planned preventative maintenance
• reactive building maintenance
• management and implementation of the life cycle fund
• energy management
• pest control
• security systems (door entry etc)
• health and safety
• fire prevention
• mechanical and engineering services
• landscaping
• car park management
• buildings insurance
• fixtures, fittings, furniture and equipment