Kirklees College’s new Waterfront campus back on track

Jun 27 2009 By Barry Gibson

A HUGE Huddersfield redevelopment is back on track.

Kirklees College’s plan to build a new £70m campus at Chapel Hill had stalled because of a national funding crisis.

But yesterday the Government said the Huddersfield plan was one of only 13 which can go forward to the next stage.

Kirklees College vice-principal Melanie Brooke welcomed the news, but said the plans will need to be looked at again.

She said: “This is an important step forward and we are delighted that our plan has been prioritised.”

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) – which funds further education in England – announced in March that building projects costing £2.7bn were in doubt as there was only £750m available.

Nearly 200 colleges had to reapply for funding, demonstrating that their plans gave value for money and would help regenerate their areas.

Only 13 colleges, including Kirklees and Barnsley, have won through to the next stage. They will now have to come up with plans which are cheaper than their original proposals.

Ms Brooke said: “There is still work to be done as we have now been asked by the LSC to provide revised plans to ensure best value for money. We are meeting with the LSC and our partners early next week with a view to submitting revisions to our proposal by July 22.

“If we receive approval for these revised plans we would hope to begin work at the site in the early autumn.”

Kirklees College won planning permission last year for a new £70m site on a triangle of land between Manchester Road, Chapel Hill and the River Colne.