Planning permission has been granted for the College’s Wellingborough campus enabling it to be regenerated to provide modern post 16 educational facilities in the town centre.
The new look college will provide first-class facilities for up to 1,000 students by 2021, and create employment opportunities for young people and adults across the borough.
The Borough Council of Wellingborough, which is the local planning authority, granted planning permission on Wednesday 6 March to redevelop the external facades of the main tower of the existing campus.
100 car parking spaces will be provided where part of the building has been previously demolished and a new vehicle access point will be created off Queen Street, as well as pedestrian access from Church Street.
The council is working with key partners to redevelop other areas of the town as part of the town centre’s regeneration, and work started earlier this month to renovate the external appearance of the historic Hind Hotel.
Leader of the Borough Council of Wellingborough, Cllr Martin Griffiths, said about the campus plans: “This is one of the most significant developments to take place in Wellingborough. Councillors and staff at the council are working closely with colleagues at Tresham College, and SEMLEP, who have provided funding of £7.5million through the Local Growth Fund, to deliver this ambitious project and I would like to thank everyone involved.
I look forward to seeing this key site take shape, and the brand new facility being fully open in September 2020. Providing opportunities for young people and promoting growth across the borough are both major priorities for the council. This development helps both priorities by opening doors to young people and providing the local economy with the skills required.”
Principal and CEO of The Bedford College Group which incorporates Tresham College, Ian Pryce CBE added: “We are delighted to have been given the go ahead for the next step of our redevelopment plans for our Church Street campus to ensure that we are able to offer high quality skills training that is wanted by the local community, both school leavers and adults wishing to train for new careers and promotions. The Borough Council of Wellingborough has been very supportive for our plans together with SEMLEP who have granted the majority of funding to allow this project to go ahead and I am looking forward to seeing students and staff based at the campus from September 2020.”
Judith Barker, Director for Programmes and Governance, SEMLEP added: “As one of SEMLEP area’s key growth areas, supporting Wellingborough to develop their local skilled workforce is a crucial part of promoting the type of growth our communities and businesses want to see. To achieve this, students need good quality learning environments. We’re delighted that The Bedford College Group has got the go-ahead to commence works on their Tresham Campus.”
If you would like to know more about the College’s plans in Wellingborough and be involved in discussions to ensure that the new look campus offers the courses wanted by the local community please visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TreshamWboroCampus or email omorton@bedford.ac.uk.