Extra parking spaces added to Sandwell college plan
Dozens of new car parking spaces will be created in the final stage of a £8.5 million revamp of a college, following concerns over clogged roads.
A major transformation of the James Watt Campus of Birmingham Metropolitan College in Great Barr has been gathering pace in recent months.
Proposals have been tabled for an extra 74 spaces on the campus - taking the number from 175 to 249 - alongside other alterations.
Residents living in Birdbrook Road and Aldridge Road had voiced concerns about congested streets due to parked cars.
College bosses today said following discussions they believed they had broad support from residents for its plans to more parking, including one more disabled space.
A workshop on the site will be demolished as part of the proposal submitted to Birmingham City Council's planning department.
Extra lighting and security fencing will be installed around the site.
The work would mark the final stage of the project to revamp the college and its grounds started last year.
Bosses want to offer a range of qualifications in the growing 'green' technology industry to students and swell the numbers signing up for courses.
At the moment there are more than 2,000 students using the campus – but college bosses say this could rise by 15 per cent in the future.
The first stage of the campus revamp included a new reception area, hall and learning resources centre with improved access.
Now contractors are on the main stage of the project to create a new teaching building – the Sustainable Energy Centre.
The new centre will be environmentally friendly and will create heat and power through solar technology.
Kim Vaughan, who is head of the James Watt Campus, said: "We are now in the final phase of our £8.5 million campus redevelopment to create a new Sustainable Energy Centre, new Learning Resource Centre, state of the art teaching spaces and additional car parking.
"This last phase completes the transformation of the campus, as it includes the introduction of three outdoor social spaces and additional onsite parking, and enhances the external landscape of the campus. The planning application was submitted with general support from members of the local community and stakeholders.
"With this final phase of works, we hope the local community will have a college that it can be proud of."
A decision over the proposals will be taken by Birmingham City Council's planning department in the coming weeks.
