The major redevelopment of a Nottinghamshire school now rests on a pivotal visit, putting the project at "massive risk", according to the college's chief executive. A site visit will be held with councillors later this month ahead of deciding whether to allow the £8.8 million redevelopment of part of West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield.
The college, which is working in partnership with the Labour-led council, wants to demolish the empty former School of Arts building and build new learning facilities. This could include a T-levels centre for vocational qualifications in a bid to redress what the college says is a “significant” skills gap across Mansfield.Other parts of the project include alterations to the historic Ashfield House building and the removal of the building’s extensions and connections to the School of Art.
Councillors will be shown the former School of Art building and the authority says this will “assist members with visualising the proposed development”. The council’s planning department is then expected to again recommend approval for the plans, as it did during the July 31 meeting. He said: “It’s a good-looking building and there are concerns it’s going to be knocked down in a conservation area.