£17m college plans put forward
PLANS put forward by Barnsley College to build a new £17m sixth form facility on the site of the town’s central library and an adjoining parade of shops and offices are to be considered by Barnsley Council next week.
The college says a new sixth form would support Barnsley’s aim of creating more jobs and support the development of higher level skills among young people.
College managers estimate it would increase the number of A-Level students in the town centre from 850 to 1,150.
Intended for completion by summer 2015, the preferred location is a 1.56-acre site bounded by Shambles Street, St Mary’s Gate, Westgate and John Rideal House.
The proposal will be discussed by cabinet on October 23.
Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said: “The proposal indicates the sixth form college would have the potential to bring £7.7m into the local economy. Following on from the recently completed town hall square modernisation, it would create an inspirational and vibrant building, at a key location, that would dramatically improve this gateway into the town centre.”
Cabinet members will also be asked to approve a recommendation that the Central Library and a Citizens’ Advice Bureau office are relocated to vacant offices at Wellington House in Wellington Street, which would undergo an extensive refit.
The proposed library relocation will also be subject to detailed consultation with library users.
Principal Colin Booth said Barnsley College had secured £5.3m of grant funding from the Skills Funding Agency, with the remainder of the capital investment raised by the college through asset disposal and borrowing.
“We already deliver a very successful A Level programme and the new facilities will help an increasing number of young people from Barnsley secure places at the best universities in the UK,” he said.
The target completion date of summer 2015 sets a challenging development schedule, the council’s cabinet members will be told.
Subject to successful negotiations with existing tenants at Shambles Street, this would see the demolition of the Central Library building and adjoining premises begin next spring.
