Buckinghamshire College Group has been given approval to move forward with major relocation plans.
Students from the Amersham and Flackwell Heath campuses will move to a new site in High Wycombe which would open in 2024.
In order to fund the new campus, the existing sites on green belt land would be developed into residential homes.
Planning permission has been granted to build the new site and to turn to Flackwell Health site into housing, but the decision for Amersham will be decided in the next few months.
The group feel that the existing campuses are not “best placed geographically” and have “outdated facilities” which need investment. They believe the best solution is to build a new provision in a central location.
Jenny Craig, college principal and CEO, said: “I am thrilled that we have passed this significant milestone in realising our vision to deliver inspirational technical, vocational, and professional skills education in the south of the county.
“The new campus will enable many more students to access and benefit from industry-standard learning spaces and will enhance our ability to respond to employers’ current and future skills needs.”
Rachael Matthews, Buckinghamshire Council’s deputy cabinet member for town centre regeneration, said: “Once completed, Buckinghamshire College Group’s new High Wycombe town centre campus will contribute to the regeneration of the area.
“Not only will the new development help to boost the local economy, but it will also create a more attractive and dynamic town centre for the whole community to enjoy. Furthermore, the new campus is sure to contribute to the development of in-demand skills in Buckinghamshire.”
Anita Cranmer, cabinet member for education and children’s services, said: “At Buckinghamshire Council we value the work that the Bucks College Group deliver to their students and we are committed to working in partnership with them.”
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