By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A pivotal site visit will be held with councillors later this month ahead of deciding whether to redevelop part of a college campus in Mansfield.
Last week, Mansfield District Council’s planning committee delayed its decision about whether West Nottinghamshire College can change its Chesterfield Road site.
The committee feared the plans, which are based within the West Gate Conservation Area, would have an impact on the area’s character.
The college, which is working in partnership with the Labour-led council, wants to demolish the empty former School of Arts building and build new learning facilities.
This could include a T-levels centre for vocational qualifications in a bid to redress what the college says is a “significant” skills gap across Mansfield.
Other parts of the project include alterations to the historic Ashfield House building and the removal of the building’s extensions and connections to the School of Art.
But councillors debating the plans on July 31 requested a site visit at the campus to determine whether the plans should be given consent.
They feared demolishing buildings protected by the existing conservation area would impact the wider area and wanted to take a closer look.
Now the authority has confirmed the committee will visit the college on August 14 to view the campus so a decision can be made on its future.
Councillors will be shown the former School of Art building and the authority says this will “assist members with visualising the proposed development”.
The council’s planning department is then expected to again recommend approval for the plans, as it did during the July 31 meeting.
The department said: “It’s considered the assessment contained within the committee report of July 31 remains valid.”
In the meeting, Cllr Jack Stephenson (Lab), who represents Market Warsop, moved the deferral and site visit and confirmed this was because “visual assessment is necessary”.
He said: “It’s a good-looking building and there are concerns it’s going to be knocked down in a conservation area.
“I think it would be wise to have a site visit so we can see it for ourselves.”
However, the decision led to Andrew Cropley, the college’s chief executive, frustratingly slamming his laptop shut and airing his concerns to the chamber.
Speaking from the public gallery, he said: “This is going to put this project at massive risk.”
“[The college campus is] 300 metres away [from the Civic Centre] and it’s still daylight. I will personally host you there tomorrow morning.”
After the decision was made, he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the project was already at risk due to previous delays in the planning process.
He said a press release – written in partnership with the Labour-run authority – had already been prepared to celebrate the project’s approval.
Cllr Andy Wetton (Lab), the committee chairman, responded to say the authority may “possibly call an extra meeting” to decide on the plans.
This could take place on Monday, August 21, but if it is not arranged, the proposals are likely to be discussed at the next scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 29.
