AN investigation is underway to discover why panels have fallen off a new £100 million student complex in Bournemouth.

Contractors Watkin Jones have launched a week-long investigation into why a number of bronze panels have fallen off one of the exterior walls of Bournemouth University International College in Holdenhurst Road.

Bournemouth Echo:

At first the construction company believed strong winds from Storm Frank was the cause of the damage.

But Watkin Jones director Simon Cowell said they were surprised by how much the building had been “tested” by the weather over Christmas.

“The building was definitely tested because of Storm Frank and one or two of the panels became loose as a result,” said Mr Cowell.

“We are now carrying out an investigation to find out why this has happened and are embarking on a full inspection of the building to make sure everything is safe.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Three panels are believed to have come completely away from the building, with more than 20 others temporarily pinned in place.

On Thursday morning, the inner courtyard of the building was fenced off to stop people from walking near the side of the building affected.

Employees from Watkin Jones have been at the site using a crane to secure some of the panels.

Some passers by said it looked like a number of panels were being held in place by a plastic strip and a bolt.

Bournemouth Echo:

But Mr Cowell said this was only being used as a marker to identify panels which needed to be checked.

The construction team is expected to be on site for at least a week.

“If we find any other problems we will be able to address them immediately,” added Mr Cowell.

Despite these assurances some students still claim they “don’t feel safe” when walking through the courtyard by the building.

“The building only opened this summer and several panels have fallen off,” one student told the Echo.

“If they hit someone then they could be killed. It’s really dangerous and every time I walk through the courtyard I don’t feel safe.”

Bournemouth Echo:

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

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.

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.

Bournemouth Echo:

A spokesman from Kaplan said: “The contractor is carrying out remedial works to assure the panels are safely attached.

“In the meantime we have put measures in place as a precaution to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”

Standing approximately 160ft tall it is the highest building in Bournemouth in relation to its position on the land.