Plans approved for college expansion

Plans to expand a Lancashire college which is currently operating at capacity have been approved.Cardinal Newman College attracts students – of which there are 3,667 – from the seven local authority districts of Preston, Chorley, South Ribble, Fylde, Ribble Valley, Wyre and Blackburn with Darwin.It employs 303 staff.The establishment is one of 40 selected by the Department of Education to offer the new T Level courses from September 2020. Two pathways in education and childcare and digital, which will comprise four qualifications, will initially be offered with a further four pathways in health and science, business and administration, creative and design and legal, accounting and finance coming into play the following year.Without additional accommodation, the college would be unable to offer the courses due to a lack of available space.Given that it is the only institution in central Lancashire that would be offering T Levels, students in the area would be unable to study and access the new curriculum if no changes are made.As such, a three-storey building was proposed and has subsequently been approved.This will comprise a gross external floor area of 13,300 sq ft and provide 11 classrooms, an opening learning area, a meeting room, office accommodation and plant rooms.The building will be accessed from Princess Street.