Permission for redevelopment proposals at The National Star College secured

• Posted by Karyn Middleton on 6th Aug ’07 at 10:27 UTC
• 0 comments

Evans Jones LLP has secured Planning Permission for new residential, therapies, reception and educational accommodation at The National Star College.

Gaining permission was fundamental to the future of the College as an independent registered charity and an education provider for disabled people, allowing replacement of outdated and over-stretched accommodation at the Ullenwood site. Through this the College will be able to continue its excellent nationally significant work with disabled young people and adults.

It was agreed with a unanimous vote of Cotswold District Council‘s Planning (Regulatory) Committee that the scheme, which has been more than 2 years in the developmental stages, has successfully balanced the need of the development with the special need to protect the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within which the site lies. The endorsement of the College‘s work conveyed by overwhelming support expressed by Members of the Committee at the meeting was welcomed by the College.

The phased development will start on site this year with completion set for the end of 2009. The College, through its advisors will continue close working relationships with Officers at Cotswold District Council, throughout the build process, to ensure that plans come smoothly to fruition.

Diana Jones, Chartered Town Planner at Evans Jones comments: “The permission has been the culmination of many months of hard work by all involved. The support offered by the Council‘s Planning Committee was overwhelming and is testament to the great and unique work undertaken by the College in its education, training and personal development of young people and adults with complex physical disabilities or acquired brain injuries together with associated learning behaviour, sensory or medical difficulties.

Local and national planning policies are quite rightly set to protect the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from development pressure. Development is allowed in only very exceptional circumstances. In my mind there are very few more deserving of such special treatment and consideration as an exceptional case than the National Star College, without whom the lives of many young people and adults would be by far the poorer.”

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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