WHY DOES LEEDS CITY COLLEGE NEED A NEW CAMPUS?
Leeds City College is oversubscribed with demand growing all the time. We have increased demand for sports facilities. Currently, students who wish to access sports facilities are transported to different facilities across the city which is both time inefficient and significantly costly and the new proposed sports facilities will address this issue. Other departments eg ESOL (English for Students of Other Languages), maths and English are also growing. We need additional floorspace.
In addition, the College is currently taking on temporary space which we are renting as an interim solution. It is not cost conducive to rent ad hoc space so the new campus will be economical and provide a high quality environment which will inspire and motivate our students.
WHY IS THE PLANNING APPLICATION BEING SUBMITTED BEFORE PUBLIC CONSULTATION?
Our pre-application process has been impacted by COVID-19 which has meant our public consultation activity will take place immediately after the outline planning application is submitted. The plans are 'outline' and more about agreeing the principle of development ahead of 'reserved matters' which will discuss the detailed site plans. Residents and stakeholders will have the opportunity to contribute to the plans as they develop. We have however held pre application discussions with planning and other officers at the Council to help frame the information required for submission of the application.
WHY ARE YOU SUBMITTING A PLANNING APPLICATION DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS?
Leeds City College are committed to pressing ahead with delivering this new educational facility despite COVID-19 and its impact on the wider economy. This application is a vote of confidence in the Leeds economy and will create many construction jobs during build, as well as regenerating the wider Mabgate area. Also as mentioned above, there is a pressing need for new education space as the College continues to grow.
HOW WILL YOU PHASE THE DEVELOPMENT?
The vision for the delivery of Mabgate Campus comprises of a phased approach to works. Given the proposal is to seek outline planning permission, final zones and order of delivery of phases is not fixed. The order of delivery of each zone or phase will be confirmed in time based on priorities of the college, in terms of which department needs to be accommodated first.
WHICH SUBJECTS WILL BE TAUGHT AT MABGATE?
Sports facilities will be available at the Mabgate campus with a dedicated building. One of the earliest phases likely to be delivered will accommodate ESOL which is an important facility to assist students make the step from education into work and wider society. In additional there will be a large focus on vocational studies including carpentry, furniture design and restoration. A mix of traditional classrooms, workshops and laboratories will be provided to respond to the needs of the College. While no firm decisions have been made about the remaining subjects available at the main educational facilities, the buildings will be designed to accommodate a range of subjects/schools. A decision on the subjects taught at Mabgate campus will be confirmed in due course.
WHEN WILL THE PROJECT BE COMPLETED BY?
The programme is not fixed and will take several years to deliver from start to end. Temporary space for aged 14-16 students within its Pupil Referral Unit offer is currently being delivered for the Autumn 2020 term, confirming the College's commitment to its new campus.
WHAT IS THE PLANNING HISTORY OF THE SITE?
Planning permission was previously granted in December 2018 for a student accommodation led development and prior to that permission for 425 flats. This site has been approved for development in the past and we are bringing forward workable, mixed and comprehensive plans to redevelop the entire site.
WHY AREN'T THERE ANY DETAILED PLANS AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT?
This is an outline planning application which primarily agrees the principle of development with Leeds City Council. The images submitted with the application give a flavour of how the campus could look. But it's certainly not fixed and shouldn't be assumed that this is the final scheme. Once the outline application has been agreed we will move onto agreeing detailed plans and will consult with the public for this stage (known as 'reserved matters').
WILL THE DEVELOPMENT INCREASE TRAFFIC LOCALLY?
The site benefits from excellent sustainable transport options allowing end users to access local and wider city centre service by walking, cycling and public transport. The local authority planned highway improvement works surrounding the site including footway widening and 20mph speed limits will further enhance the pedestrian environment.
The College is aiming to provide a non car dependent environment. The location is on the fringe of the city centre and within walking distance of the bus station and train station so it provides a sustainable location. It will function like other city centre locations which are not reliant on providing parking spaces.
WILL MABGATE CAMPUS BE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY?
The intention is to work towards delivering net zero carbon buildings and we are aiming to achieve 100% renewable or reusable energy. The development will also work towards achieving BREEAM standard of Excellent.
A dedicated cycle hub will also be provided on site for staff and students including covered cycle spaces and shower facilities.