Driving development forward for National Star College

• Posted by Karyn Middleton on 14th May ’07 at 17:06 BST
• 0 comments

Evans Jones LLP, has re-submitted proposals for the development of new residential, therapies, reception and educational accommodation at The National Star College, Ullenwood. The Cheltenham based company joined the Development Team comprising a number of specialists including Highways, Trees and Landscape and Ecology Consultants in preparing a detailed re-submission of the College’s development plan application submitted to Cotswold District Council last year.

The plans will allow the College, an independent registered charity and leading education provider for disabled people, to continue its excellent, nationally significant, work with disabled young people and adults. This has also been recognised by an exceptional pledge of significant financial support for the £15.4 million pound project by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The College has recently been recognised by the Adult Learning Inspectorate as one of the leading training providers in the country.

Evans Jones, has advised and worked closely with specialist consultants and maintained close and consistent liaison with both Local Authority and County Council Officers to ensure that all potential issues and areas of concern have been satisfactorily addressed and that the needs of the development is balanced with the special need to protect the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within which this site lies. Local residents and amenity groups have been invited to be involved in the process with a neighbour briefing held in late February which brought about some positive feedback to inform the process prior to submission.

The Charity aims to raise over £7 million over the next few years through charitable fundraising to realise the development plans and much needed accommodation to replace existing outdated and over stretched facilities.

Diana Jones, Chartered Town Planner at Evans Jones, comments "The development proposals are essential to the future of the College in its provision of further education, training and personal development for young people and adults locally, regionally and nationally with complex physical disabilities or acquired brain injuries together with associated learning, behavioural, sensory or medical difficulties. Existing accommodation is severely under pressure; teaching and specialist accommodation is undersized with space and mobility constraints for the high proportion of students in wheelchairs; and therapy accommodation needs to be updated to reflect the more complex needs of students now attending the College.

Having been closely involved with the College over a number of months I never cease to be uplifted by the sight of the students going about their daily activities. The quality of the students’ lives, lucky enough to achieve a place at the College, have been improved and enriched beyond words, with even the most severely disabled given opportunities to achieve qualifications or training and improve their personal independence. It is truly humbling to see the spirit of these individuals and I am proud and honoured to have been a part of the Development Team responsible for assisting the College in achieving its goal."

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Press enquiries:
Diana Jones, Evans Jones
Tel: 01242 531412
Email: dianaj@evansjones.co.uk

David Jones, Evans Jones
Tel. 01242 531411
Email: davidj@evansjones.co.uk