CONTRACTORS will be on site at a Bournemouth student complex for another eight weeks after it was discovered the wrong screws were used to secure some of the panels to the building.

Safety concerns were raised after a number of bronze panels fell off one of the exterior walls of Bournemouth University International College in Holdenhurst Road last week.

At first the construction company Watkin Jones believed strong winds from Storm Frank were the cause of the damage but quickly launched an investigation into why the new building had been “tested” so easily by the weather. It has now been discovered that the wrong screws were used to secure some of the panels.

Watkin Jones project manager Steve Burton explained that the team initially carried out remedial work to make sure the building was made secure and then progressed with further investigations to find out why this happened in the first place.

“We have now discovered that the wrong Tek screws were used on the area where the panels have come loose and fallen off,” said Mr Burton.

“It was the last area of the building that was completed and we are now investigating why the wrong screws were used.

“As a result we are now replacing all the bronze panels on the building in order to make sure the correct screws are used and they are fixed securely to the building.”

The 16-storey building officially opened just three months ago on October 15.

Watkin Jones and the subcontractor, The MIB Group, are expected to be on site for the next eight weeks while they carry out the work.

“It all depends on how easy it is to access some of the areas which need replacing,” explained Mr Burton.

“There are five areas in total that need addressing but now that all the scaffolding is down some of them may prove difficult to get to.”

According to Mr Burton the cost of the work is currently unknown but will be covered by the contractors.

More than £100 million was invested into the facility – and of this £35 million was used for the construction of the building which boasts views out to the Isle of Wight, and Old Harry, the Purbecks and the New Forest.

It was built through a partnership between Bournemouth University and Kaplan and provides teaching facilities for 600 as well as accommodation for nearly 400 students and a cafeteria.

A spokesman from Bournemouth University said although the building was part of its campus it was run by Kaplan International College.

A spokesman from Kaplan said: “The contractors are continuing with the remedial works and we are working closely with them to ensure the building remains safe throughout this period.”