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College plans major overhaul of facilities

From the Echo, first published Saturday 19th Feb 2005.

BOSSES at Bournemouth and Poole College are drawing up plans for a major redevelopment of its North Road site.

The move is part of a review of the current facilities and accommodation at the campus, which are believed to be in need of an overhaul to allow the college to keep abreast of educational provision.

Although bosses have confirmed that proposals are in the pipeline they are remaining tight-lipped on specific details, or whether the scheme will also include other sites used by the college such as Constitution Hill or the Lansdowne.

"The executive of Bournemouth and Poole College are currently in the preliminary stages of a major accommodation review of the organisation," said Julie-Anne Houldey, director of marketing at the college.

"The project is currently in the embryonic stages with detailed research having been commissioned and outline proposals being submitted to the Learning and Skills Council and other key stakeholders.

"We are currently not in a position to publish any information in the public domain as it could potentially jeopardise and pre-empt any outcomes of these initial discussions.

"We are optimistic that the project will be favourably received, enabling the college to design accommodation space that supports our developing portfolio of courses meeting the needs of our learners, and provide improved state-of-the-art learning and working space for the 21st century."

She said that if the plans get the green light from the Learning and Skills Council, public consultation would be carried out with students, local residents and the public.

"We value the opinions of such groups and when the timing is appropriate we will ensure we share our intentions and plans. However, we cannot make any further statements at this stage."

A spokesperson from Poole council said that no planning applications for the proposals have yet been submitted by the college.

The North Road site of the college was opened in 1956, and the Lansdowne 1913.

First published: February 19

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