PLANS for a brand new college campus in Buckinghamshire have been given the green light.

Buckinghamshire College Group has revealed it is ploughing ahead with plans to build a new seven-storey college building and campus in High Wycombe as proposals were approved by Bucks Council.

Currently, the college teaches more than 7,000 students at its Aylesbury, Amersham and Flackwell Heath sites, but the new 6,618m² campus is set to replace the Amersham and Flackwell Heath locations.

The College Principal and CEO Jenny Craig 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.” 

The purpose-built vocational and technical education campus will be built at 30-34 Oxford Road in the town centre, within reach of public transport and businesses.

An opening date for the new campus is estimated to be by 2025, a spokesperson for Buckinghamshire College Group said. 

The spokesperson was unable to provide an estimated cost for the project as contractors are in the process of being appointed.

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Buckinghamshire Council’s deputy cabinet member for town centre regeneration Rachael Matthews commented: “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.” 

The plans include demolition of the existing building to construct the seven-storey campus building, three parking spaces for minibuses, a drop-off area and cycle parking. 

Funding for the new college campus depends on the Amersham and Flackwell Heath college campuses being redeveloped into residential buildings, the college spokesperson added. 

Plans for both sites include a mix of homes, with 35-40 percent classed as affordable homes. 

The Buckinghamshire College Group spokesperson said: "On both sites, publicly accessible open space, footpaths and community sports facilities (Football pitch and Hockey pitch) will remain with the addition of new children’s play spaces.

"We have submitted planning applications for both projects to Buckinghamshire Council and we have already received unanimous ‘resolution to grant’ for the Flackwell Heath site.

"We don’t anticipate development to begin on these sites until students have moved into the new campus in High Wycombe."