THE new university accommodation in Southend could be let out over the summer when most students go home.

The ten-storey Hollybrook development for the University of Essex is being built in London Road, Southend.

When it is finished, the bold-looking £36million building will house 561 students. It is expected to be completed in October.

Kate Clayton, university spokeswoman, said: “We will be exploring ways of letting these rooms out, perhaps as part of conference trade.”

Ms Clayton said at the Colchester campus the rooms were often used for people attending the university for conferences, while students are on their summer holidays.

Robert Cammidge, who runs the Camelia Hotel, in Eastern Esplanade, Thorpe Bay, said he did not think it would hit local hotels.

He said: “People stay with us because we are on the seafront. It’s all about the location. This might enhance the town if it brings more people in.

“I’m not sure what the conference facilities are at the university, but if they’re large there could be an overspill and local hoteliers could benefit.

“So I wouldn’t be against it.”

As well as providing student housing, the new building will also have a 300-space underground car park, to partly replace the Farringdon multistorey car park, which will be demolished.

But Ms Clayton said students would not be able to use the council-run underground car park for free.

She said: “Students will not be given permits.

“Students can use it if they want to, but they will have to pay like everyone else.

“The university will discourage them from bringing their cars because they shouldn’t need them.”