A PLANNED development of 300 new homes and updated facilities will be “absolutely essential” to securing the future of Brooklands College, according to its principal.
A planning application has been submitted for changes to the campus including a new sports centre, new facilities for children with Special Education Needs and restoring the site’s listed mansion building, turning it back into homes.
The £45million scheme, put forward by the college and Cala Homes, also includes plans for 320 new homes, of which 128 would be affordable.
Plans for homes include apartment buildings which would complement the mansion building, family housing on an old landfill site, and apartments and homes on a car park in the north of the site, according to the developer’s website.
The further education college has two campuses in Ashford, as well as the Weybridge site, and has agreed with the Education and Skills Funding Agency a payment plan for £25m of debt that was uncovered following an investigation into subcontracting.
In a statement, the college said its new leadership team had put together a plan which would repay the debt and safeguard the future of the college.
Of the development plans, principal Christine Ricketts said: “These plans are absolutely essential to securing the future of the college.
“Not only will they put the college on a stable, financial footing; they will upgrade our teaching buildings and provide us with a state-of-the-art campus to provide the highest standards of training and vocational learning.
“Brooklands has a rich history and I’m proud that these plans will cherish and enhance its unique heritage.”
The payment plan has been agreed over three years, which the college said would be enough time to secure planning permission.
A spokesperson said: “The college re-development scheme seeks the minimum amount of residential development necessary to fund both the transformation of the college and the repayment of the debt.
“Without the sale of the excess land for residential development, the college would be in an insolvent position, which could result in its forced closure and the land sold to a developer.”
Changes have been made to the plans following consultation with residents, including removing initial plans for a care home on the site, reducing the number of homes down from 350 and demolishing “unsightly” buildings currently next to the mansion.
There will be a new purpose-built facility on site for students with special educational needs, with funding from Surrey County Council and upgrades to teaching facilities.
The full planning application will be subject to a decision by Elmbridge Borough Council.