Bircham college looks set to stay
FRESH housing and redevelopment plans at Bircham Newton's National Construction College have got the thumbs up from planning officers – potentially securing the long-term future of the facility in West Norfolk.
The new plans to create 24 new homes on the east of the B1155, flatten some of the campus buildings and overhaul college accommodation, are recommended for approval at a West Norfolk development control board meeting today (Monday).
It is the news the Stanhoe Road college had been hoping for in a long-running battle to cover the cost of upgrading dilapidated buildings through the sale of land for development.
College commercial manager Mr Andy Walder greeted the recommendation as "a positive move in the right direction" and said if all goes to plan the college renovation would begin at the end of next year.
The college had originally wanted permission for 250 homes to raise 20 million to overhaul facilities, but the plan was rejected and an appeal thrown out, leading to fears the college would close.
But the Government's Learning Skills Council has now agreed to fund the lion's share of the project with a 17 million grant if the college can raise 4.3million, as previously reported in the Lynn News.
The college hopes to make 1.5 million by selling land to a developer and will cover the remaining 2.8 million by shaving maintenance and development costs and with the proceeds from the sale of existing residential development in Hyde Close.
Bircham Parish Council has maintained its objection to any new homes on the college site, but a report to the development board said the scale of the plan is acceptable and should be allowed because of the benefits derived from the improved college, which is a huge employer for the area and important contributor to construction nationally.
The report notes the development is "deliberately close" to, but 0.01 hectare and one home below, the size where it would need to include affordable housing, but said members need to balance the need for affordable homes with the needs of the college.
Within the plans the college proposes a new sports centre and shop, which will be open to the public as well as students, as well as three new accommodation blocks with 120 rooms, a 200-seat restaurant and a new office.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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