Letter from City College

Reply from Dick Palmer to letter 22nd February 2008

Received 03 March 2008
John

Apologies for the delay in getting these responses to you; I wanted to make sure that I gave you as much information as I can.

1. Given the demographic projections, what evidence is there that the College could attract anything like 20.000 students?
There are a number of new policy initiatives from the Government that will impact on our student numbers. The education leaving age is set to rise in 2013 from 16 to 18. There will be 17 new Diplomas introduced over the next three years, potentially meaning very large rise in the number of 14-16 year olds at City College (where they are likely to come for at least one or two days a week, alongside their own school, to access the facilities necessary for the teaching of many aspects of the Diplomas). The College is also part of the drive to meet a range of new national targets on skills, including the numbers of adults with Level 2 and 3 qualifications which will again see a rise in adult learners in coming years. The government has announced a very large expansion in apprenticeships, many of which will see apprentices coming to the College for a day or more a week. Finally, the housing growth set for Norwich is over 30,000 new homes leading to an increase in student numbers. Given all of these factors which collectively evidence a very substantial possible/latent demand for additional student places at the college, we have taken a considered view on overall growth in numbers.

2. Has a traffic impact study been carried out – please give details
Within the outline planning application a detailed traffic survey has been carried out (and will be submitted to Norwich City Council in March 2008).
3. Has a neighbourhood study been carried out – please give details
A number of surveys have been conducted as part of the planning application including Ecology, Arboricultural, Flood Risk, Geo-Environmental, Sustainability and Transport Assessment. We think that what you are referring to could be the Context Appraisal, which is embedded in our Design and Access Statement – this is part of our Initial Planning Application. Further and more detailed studies will need to be carried out as part of our detailed planning application which comes later in the process.
4. Where is the funding coming from?
Initially, the Government requires the College to utilise its own resources (both reserves and borrowings – estimated up to £20m), then the College will seek “gap” funding from the Learning & Skills Council which has a nationally funded capital programme for colleges, to which we are able to bid. A number of discussions have taken place with the LSC prior to the College setting out its plans to redevelop the campus and they (the LSC) have been supportive, in principle, to the sort of level of funding we are looking to access.

5. How much has been confirmed and from which sources?
Governors at the Corporation of City College have committed the funds to develop the first phase of an application to the LSC; this is known as the Application in Principle (AiP). The balance depends upon LSC approval of the AiP. As I have stated in 4 above, a number of discussions with the LSC have taken place prior to the plans being made public to assess the level of their likely support and the plans have been framed in response to that.

6. When will the public (especially local residents) be able to see realistic and comprehensive plans?
The outline planning application will be submitted in March 2008. Detailed planning applications for the first buildings at the Northern & Southern ends of the campus along with a car park and building adjacent to the new car park are planned to be submitted early in 2009 and will involve a further round of public consultation in advance of that

7. What estimates of impact have you made on
i. Local housing,
The traffic assessment included in the outline planning application includes an analysis of local traffic conditions including cars, buses & bus routes, motor cyclists, cyclists pedestrians and others. The tree survey will have considered the impact of the proposals on trees whose root protection zone extends to within the College boundary. We are not required to undertake a “local housing” survey nor are we sure as to what this would entail. Again, please see 3 above as to what surveys we have carried out.

ii. The physical ground on which the neighbourhood rests?
A screening letter was sent to Norwich City Council planners to enable them to assess whether there was a need to conduct an environmental impact assessment. The City Council has subsequently confirmed that the College does not need to conduct such a survey.

8. Which publicly available documents contain discussions of the development plans and where can they be accessed?
Materials about the College’s plans are available on the College website at www.ccn.ac.uk. After the submission of the outline planning application, the application itself and other associated documents will be available from Norwich City Council.

9. Who is the commissioned architect?
Aukett Fitzroy Robinson are the master planners who have prepared the outline planning application, Building Design Partnership have been appointed to develop the design of the buildings at least until AiP stage.
10. At what stage are their schematic drawings?
Master plans will be submitted with the Outline Planning application. More detailed, schematic plans will be available as the detailed design process progresses (see 6 above). These will be made available and subject to further consultation at the appropriate stage. These designs will be prepared by Building Design Partnership
11. When do you expect the plans to go before the Planning Committee?
This is a matter for Norwich City Council but the application is due to be submitted in March 2008 and the Council have 13 weeks to respond. It has been indicated that the application will be determined during May 2008.
12. Are you expecting to submit a) an outline application or b) a full detailed application?
It is outline planning permission that will be submitted in March 2008.
13. If you are unaware of timings do you expect it to be within the next 3 months?
See 12.

Please let me know if I can help more. I believe that we are now meeting on the 18th March – I look forward to seeing you then.

Regards


Dick Palmer
Principal
City College Norwich