Huddersfield University have announced that the student seating will not be able to be used until the summer. Photo: Andy Blunt

The University have announced that they are aware that the new stone seating outside the Creative Arts building will not be able to be fully utilised until the summer months.

The seating, an investment the University have said cost £65,000, has been met with largely negative student opinion.

“It’s hard to navigate,” said one passerby. “And I’ve nearly fallen over it on my way to lectures.”

But the University have defended the furniture, stating that it will become more useful to students during the summer months.

“We sought to find the most innovative and effective solution, at the most cost effective price,” said a spokesperson for the University’s Estates and Facilities department.

“Unfortunately we cannot control the weather conditions so it may be some time before it is used to its full advantage.”

Amongst several other options, the Estates and Facilities department revealed it had considered buying wooden furniture but said the cost of treating it would make the seating less cost effective than that currently in place.

“Our investment…will provide a capacity of 120 seats when they are all in position, and we estimate these will last for the next 20 years.”

But some students have accused the University of not listening to them or seeking their opinion before spending.

The seating is said to be part of wider re-development plans including enclosure of the library entrance and canalside, and the new business school presented to the Duke of Gloucester.