£3m performing arts centre for Halesowen College, despite concerns of residents

A £3million performing arts centre will be built at Halesowen College after plans were approved by councillors - despite concerns being raised by people living near the site.

Dozens of objections had been lodged against the proposals but councillors said it was vital the development went ahead to improve facilities for students.

The college has been struggling to provide enough space for the growing number of students taking performing arts courses. Some are currently having to travel off campus to use facilities at Benjamins, a function and conference hall, in the town centre.

The new centre would enable all classes to take place on the Whittingham Road site.

However the scheme had concerned some residents living near the campus.

In letters to the council, they feared surrounding roads will become clogged with cars as they already suffer because of nuisance parking.

A total of 44 objections were lodged with the council before the proposals were discussed by councillors.

Chairman of Dudley Council's planning committee Councillor Qadar Zada said members approved the scheme after being assured that there would be no increase in pupil numbers as a result of the development.

He added that the college would be asked to work with the community to address concerns raised by residents about problem parking.

Councillor Zada said: "There is an opportunity here for the college to work with the community.

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"The performing arts centre would bring huge benefits to the college and would stop students from having to travel elsewhere to use facilities."

The performing arts centre is the latest stage of revamp work at the site which is seeing £20m invested in replacing outdated buildings. It will provide teaching rooms and rehearsal space for students on music, drama and dance courses.

Bosses said having on-site teaching rooms would cut costs for both students and the college. As well as providing up to six classrooms, the centre will have a performance hall with a mezzanine level viewing gallery, which could also be used for art shows. It will be built on a piece of grassed land which is not currently used.

During the past six years, redevelopment work has been taking place at the council to replace the old 1960s block with four new buildings.

The new centre, which will be known as Block 13, follows the opening of new facilities including a building for animal care and tourism courses, which has a fully-functioning veterinary surgery and opened in 2012. There are also specially designed classrooms and a kitchen for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.

A science and IT block opened on the campus in 2011