College plans 'specialist' new teaching block boasting a 'student square' and convertible classrooms
07.06.2023 - 15:21
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A Stockport college has revealed plans for a ‘specialist’ new teaching block boasting convertible classrooms and an outdoor ‘student square’. Aquinas College, in Heaviley, has submitted proposals for a two-storey building at its base in Nangreave Road, just off the A6.
To be built on a one-acre plot next to the main college building, it would feature 10 new classrooms, a staff room and additional ‘flexible learning spaces’. A ‘student square’ is also proposed, offering an area for quiet study, small group breakout sessions and occasional outdoor lessons.The proposed site housed part of the main college building before its demolition and redevelopment around 15 years ago.
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Planning papers read: “The planned new build is to provide specialist provision for subjects that the college did not provide when the original planning permission was granted, and to meet curriculum demand and local need.“The proposed classrooms will be standard learning spaces, capable of conversion to larger exam halls if required.”
The document adds that the college has a policy of modest growth in line with targets set by the government and local authority - amounting to an extra 20-30 students per year..
It continues: “This will happen even without the currently proposed development, albeit the facilities provided to students will be of a lower quality and within overcrowded classrooms.
“The proposals will not be directly associated with an uplift in student numbers at the site. However, [they] will enable the college to better care for existing students, while continuing a steady growth to support the local area.”
Papers say that the block would be positioned at the end of the