College set for overhaul (From Stroud News and Journal)

College set for overhaul

PLANS for a £17 million redevelopment of Stroud College have been submitted to Stroud District Council after months of negotiation behind the scenes.

Councillors will now have the chance to accept or reject the proposals for what college bosses are calling a "flagship development" for the town.

Securing planning permission is a vital step for the college if it is to start work on the project, which includes a brand new building and 149 homes.

This will be followed by another hurdle in July, when the college will learn if its bid to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for almost half the funding has been successful.

"Things are changing by the week at the moment," said project manager Mark Eardley. "It is a very fluid time.

"This development is going to hugely enhance the appearance of the area and give a facility that students will be attracted to.

"At the moment Stroud has the most number of students migrating out of the area in Gloucestershire and hopefully this will entice them back."

The new modern college building will replace the run-down existing site, which dates back to 1954, and incorporate new classrooms, state-of-the-art IT facilities and specialist areas for construction and hair and beauty training.

College marketing manager Jim Kelly added: "I think this is a flagship development for Stroud.

"We can have a modern building that will be able to deliver learning as it needs to be in the 21st century."

Work is due to start on the new college building in Autumn this year, with staff and services being transferred in 2007.

The development control committee of Stroud District Council will probably decide on the fate of the application in June.