UK UNIVERSITIES PROGRAMME LOAN

Programme Loan for funding a range of capital expenditure projects in British research-intensive higher education institutions

The purpose of the project is to construct new, and to refurbish existing teaching, research and supporting facilities of several research-intensive universities in the UK. The general objective of the plans is to increase the relevance and quality of teaching, learning and academic research at the universities by increasing and updating the quality of the facilities. The universities are targeting modest increase of their student numbers, and concentrating on further improving the teaching and research they provide. The ultimate beneficiaries are the students and staff of the universities as well as the eventual employers of the graduates and the wider society in the UK.

Universities and research institutions are not specifically mentioned in the EIA Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment. An EIA is therefore not required in accordance with the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU. However, parts of the investment cover the construction of new facilities and therefore may be covered by Annex II of the Directive in relation to urban development. The Bank's services will verify during appraisal whether an EIA is required for any component of the project.

The Bank will require the universities to ensure that contracts for the implementation of their projects have been/shall be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Dir. 2004/18/EEC/ or 2004/17/EEC and Dir. 2007/66/EC), with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where appropriate.

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