A DETAILED application to rebuild Suffolk College has been withdrawn just two weeks before it was due to go before the borough.New proposals are now being drawn up to deal with the concerns of nearby residents and some college staff.
A DETAILED application to rebuild Suffolk College has been withdrawn just two weeks before it was due to go before the borough.
New proposals are now being drawn up to deal with the concerns of nearby residents and some college staff.
But college principal Professor Dave Muller said that the changes should not delay the work which is expected to start in the new year.
An application to go ahead with the £50million redevelopment of the college was due to be discussed by members of Ipswich Council's planning and development committee next month.
The main concern was that the engineering department, especially the workshops used for training motor mechanics, and the disturbance it could cause to local residents and other students.
Prof Muller said: “There has been concern raised about this by the staff and local residents in the Rope Walk area.
“We agreed that it would be better to look at putting the workshops in a different position and that is what we are now doing.
“We are now aiming to apply for planning permission at the council meeting on October 4. It should not cause any delays because work was not expected to start on site until the new year in any event.
“We hope to get a contractor appointed by the autumn and then it should be all systems go.”
The new building will replace existing further education departments at Suffolk College which will become independent of the higher education sections when UCS becomes a separate body in September 2007.
County councillor Kevan Lim had been contacted by residents concerned about the potential noise from the workshops.
He said: “I am delighted that the application has been withdrawn while changes are made to the college.
“I understand it will not delay the construction work - but it should ensure that residents of Kings Avenue and the other nearby roads are not disturbed by the motor workshops.
“They are to be moved further away, nearer to the park where the noisy work should not disturb so many residents.”
n. Will the college redevelopment affect you? Do you welcome the rethink? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk>
nWeblink: www.suffolk.ac.uk
www.ucs.ac.uk
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