Proposals given warm welcome

9:40am Saturday 28th June 2008

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A PROPOSAL to move Basingstoke College of Technology to a new purpose-built campus has received a warm welcome from staff and students.

This week, they had a chance to view the plans for the move to Kingsclere Road - where a relocated BCOT is part of developer Lemon Land's proposed redevelopment of 30 acres of industrial land with a hotel, housing and commercial space - at a series of consultation days held at BCOT's North Site in Worting Road.

The design really stands out. It looks good, and gives it a good vibe

James Bates

While generally supportive, there were some worries about parking and access to the town centre under Chapel Hill railway bridge.

Art lecturer Sheila Stockwell, 46, of Worting Road, said: "We thought it was quite exciting, but we are really worried about its connections with the town centre. This doesn't look like it would cope with the sheer volume of people walking through."

She said Lemon Land's plans for the rest of the site were interesting, adding: "It's got a gallery and I work in the art department, so I'm dead keen on that."

Explaining why it was necessary to move from the college's existing buildings either side of Worting Road, Ms Stockwell said: "The building across the road is very old and quite uncomfortable to work in. This building has never quite fitted the bill and we are always double booked."

Graeme Coventry, a 51-year-old co-ordinating lecturer in the construction department, liked the innovative designs, but was worried about the possible maintenance bills for the new college.

"Architects come up with marvellous designs, but we are stuck with the upkeep," he said. "It's an absolutely marvellous set-up, so long as it's not too super high-tech.

"Getting back to one site is a very good idea and makes it more cohesive."

Mr Coventry, of Britten Road, Brighton Hill, added: "The traffic is going to be horrendous. They may have to divert college traffic one way."

The plans received a thumbs up from many students, with the new site's close proximity to the railway station being a plus-point for many students.

Charlie Fry, 19, of Highlands Road, Andover, who is studying for a national diploma in construction, said: "It is a good location closer to the train station. It looks good and accessible. I like the modern design and ventilation."

James Bates, 19, of Mill Road, Rooksdown, who is studying for a national diploma in sport, said: "I like the design - it's a lot more up-to-date. The design really stands out. It looks good, and gives it a good vibe.

"There aren't many parking spaces and it'll be difficult for everyone to cram in. They need to make it bigger. They need to provide more space - that would be the only downside - but it's also close to the railway station as well, which is good."

Childcare student Sarah-Mae Easton, 17, of Gilbert Close, Popley, said: "It's a nice style and it's very spacious by the looks of it, although the childcare bit doesn't look that big - but it's only a picture.

"I don't see much parking on the new site, but it's a good design - it's different."