A NEW £8.5m business school is set to be constructed at a town college to help reach more young people across the county.

Barton Peveril Sixth Form College has secured planning permission for its new building which will boast 28 new classrooms, student study spaces for independent and group work, and a new and larger reception for the college.

Due to be completed by March 2023, the new building is the latest in a series of recent projects at the college, including the £6.5 million science centre completed in 2019 and the extensively remodelled, £1.35 million Rose Theatre that reopened in 2021.

It comes as the college works to expand its existing campus to maintain the quality of service and facilities it offers to its 4,400 current students.

The project was given the go-ahead at an Eastleigh Local Area Committee (ELAC) meeting last Tuesday.

Daily Echo: New business school at Barton Peveril Sixth Form College.

Speaking after getting the green light, Barton Peveril Principal, Jonathan Prest, said: “It is fantastic to have the unanimous support of the borough council local area committee for our new business school.

“The college is growing fast as the demographic increases for the 16-18 age group and the college’s outstanding results and reputation for excellent support make it ever more popular.

“The business school will allow us to accommodate all our existing and anticipated new students in attractive and modern classrooms.

“Reports from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and Confederation of British Industry (CBI) show that the future skills needs of the Solent region require a growth in the number of people with higher level skills and qualifications.

“Barton Peveril is a leader in turning out young people equipped to deliver the future prosperity of the region, and contribute to the cohesion and well-being of our local communities.”

The project, which will be headed by Grayling Thomas Architects, will see the new business building equipped with state of the art ground source heating and cooling, and photovoltaic panels on the roof. At the meeting, councillors stressed the importance of the college being ‘good neighbours’ and made points about parking issues, littering off campus and past complaints from residents. ELAC chairman Cllr Alex Bourne said: “It looks a fantastic building. Barton Peveril is so successful that they’ve had to build this building because everyone wants to come to Barton Peveril. They come from miles because its got such a great reputation.”