New performing arts college for Wakefield

A new performing arts college is set to be built on the final plot of land at the Merchant Gate scheme in Wakefield.A deal has been agreed between English Cities Fund (ECf) and LocatED to develop a new 53,000 sq ft performing arts college on the 1.1 acre site.The new college will accommodate about 500 students aged between 16 and 19.LocatED was commissioned by the Department for Education to identify and acquire a site in central Wakefield and the new college will be located directly opposite the Council’s civic office, Wakefield One.ECf is a joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General and the Homes & Communities Agency.It is working in partnership with Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, Network Rail and the East Coast Mainline to deliver the Merchant Gate regeneration project, which is immediately adjacent to Westgate Station and the Civic Quarter.So far the scheme has delivered 200,000 sq ft of offices, retail and leisure space, 66 apartments and a £9m investment in infrastructure and public realm.A planning application will be submitted in 2018 with a proposed opening date of 2020.