Plans in for college redevelopment

Plans have been lodged for the redevelopment of a former Wiltshire College building with a new mixed-use scheme featuring almost 140 retirement flats.Retirement housing provider C2PD, supported by planning consultancy Turley, has lodged an application for the vacant former Wiltshire College building on Cocklebury Road in Chippenham.The company is proposing to demolish the existing buildings and construct a five-storey, mixed-use development measuring about 230,000 sq ft.A 140-unit extra care facility, with three duplexes and communal facilities for residents is incorporated within the scheme, which would also feature three ground floor commercial units, a restaurant and café, and 97 car parking spaces.The extra care units are designed to enable older people to live in self-contained accommodation with access to on-site care. The commercial units will be for use by the resident and the local community.About 148 direct full-time equivalent jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase, as well as long-term roles following completion. The care facilities could employ up to 40 staff.The college buildings are surplus to requirements following the redevelopment of the Chippenham Campus. The new facilities opened in 2016 following a £21m investment.