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£35m for eco-friendly college revamp

12:00pm Thursday 24th May 2007

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AN ambitious £35m eco-friendly revamp of City College in Southampton was given the thumbs-up by councillors.

The approved plans, which include two wind turbines and a combined heat and power plant to reduce carbon emissions and fuel bills, will create a state-of-the-art campus in St Mary's for young and adult students.

City College will offer the most advanced facilities possible for our students and clients. They will be state of the art in every sense.

Lindsey Noble, college principal

It will see refurbishment of existing buildings, the demolition of two blocks, the creation of a "central hub", new training buildings, a new restaurant and hair & beauty salon - both of which will be open to the public.

Architect Paul Duenas of Ellis Williams Architects said the scheme provided a "very strong, modern, new millennium, image for the city."

He said a relocated car park, on the site of a demolished block, will open up a vista of St Mary's Church from Chapel Road, while the new hub enhanced the college's ability to accommodate community activities.

Facilities Lindsey Noble, principal of the 10,000 student sixth-form vocational college, said: "City College will offer the most advanced facilities possible for our students and clients.

"They will be state of the art in every sense, providing the finest learning spaces. They will ensure that the buildings meet modern requirements for energy efficiency and sustainability."

A target saving of 120 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year has been planned. An average household emits six tonnes per year.

Despite some worries about the noise and vibrations of the turbines, which will be settled by a noise study, the city council's planning and rights of way panel unanimously backed the scheme.

Planning officers will now agree legal details of the planning consent.

Councillor Sue Blatchford added: "It's pleasing to the college demonstrating that having wind turbines is possible within and urban setting and can offer some of your energy needs."

The scheme is expected to be completed by July 2010.


Your Say YourDaily Echo

What Amount is it?, Millions or Pounds? says...
12:33pm Thu 24 May 07

Does any one have an idea as to how much this is?

£35 or £35million?

If it's £35m too much - £35 sounds about right

Morey Bund, counting says...
12:50pm Thu 24 May 07


I agree, I think the title figure of £35 is reasonable and correct, and the later 'm' added to £35 can only stand for 'Maximum'. so £35maximum does indeed sound about right.

Barry Gentry, says...
3:45pm Thu 24 May 07

Having worked for a company that had regular dealings with this college, I would suggest they spend more money on getting or retaining top level tutors to ensure they can fully deliver the vocational programmes they advertise. Unless things have changed in the last 6 months or so, anyone going there to become a plumber (for example) will receive training in the college on the theory required and practical exercises (Technical Certificate) but will not receive support from the college to complete their Plumbing NVQ, which is done in the work place. This is because the college had, when I last heard "dropped" this most important and necessary part of the qualification from their programme. Why? Because they would not pay a suitable wage to attract staff to carry out the job and could not retain the staff they did attract. How do I know this? Because I had a job that over saw the training of several apprentices and moved all the plumbing apprentices I had at St Mary's College, to Eastleigh College when I knew St Mary's were not going to deliver what they had originally promised. You're better off going to Eastleigh College, which has "Beacon Status" making it one of the top colleges in the country, for vocational training!!!!! Trust me I know!!

Robert, Wuthering Heights says...
6:30pm Thu 24 May 07

Wind turbines aren't going to be very successful down the bottom of St Mary's Street are they?

Unless they use mainly the wind coming from Ms Noble herself. and maybe a little bit from Rev Johnson.

Comments are closed on this article.

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