College eyes Kirkby warehouse for expansion site -- all the latest Ashfield plans
The first steps are being taken towards creating a new campus in Kirkby for Vision West Nottinghamshire College.
The college, which has its main base on Derby Road, Mansfield, provides education and training opportunities for about 12,000 students and apprentices, and works in partnership with local businesses and employers.
But details of an expansion plan are emerging, with a new site at the former We Are Fulfilment storage warehouse at Unit 1, Julias Way, off Low Moor Road, in Kirkby on its radar.
Nigel Bryan, who is the new head of estates at West Notts College, has submitted a planning application to Ashfield District Council to determine if prior approval is required for “a change of use from commercial to a state-funded school” at the warehouse, which spans 28,000 square feet.
Details of the scheme are scant at this stage. But Mr Bryan, who only took up his post in December, says in the application: “We aim to turn the former We Are Fulfilment warehouse building into a learning establishment for students aged 16 to 18.
"The scope of the work would include: a minor strip-out; power and data works; compressed airline works; creation of classrooms; additional WC facilities, as required under the regulations; partition and fire corridor construction; joinery works; and decoration and flooring.”
We Are Fulfilment is a successful Nottingham-based company that provides specialised warehouses where e-commerce businesses store their products.
When an order is placed, the fulfilment centre handles picking, packing and shipping the item to the customer.
The company says: “At We Are Fulfilment, our tech-driven centres ensure efficient order-processing, inventory management and fast shipping for businesses across the UK and beyond.”
It was only four years ago that the firm struck a deal to acquire the unit at Julias Way, which was considered an attractive location because of its large car park and close proximity to junction 28 of the M1.
Director Richard Ardis said at the time: “Since launching We Are Fulfilment, we’ve been overwhelmed at the interest shown in our service.
"We’ve outgrown our current warehouse facility within 12 months and are excited to invest in this new location to help expand our offering and help our growing base of clients take their businesses to the next level.”
However, it closed last year and the council's planning officers are currently considering the college’s proposal. They have set a deadline date of Tuesday, March 3 for a decision or recommendation.
Other planning applications received by Ashfield Council include these:
24 Mapplewells Crescent, Sutton – single-storey porch and canopy at front, plus fencing to front boundary.
1 Burton Close, Sutton – side extension (including room in roof space and dormer windows at front and rear), garage at side, porch at front, boundary wall and application of render to existing walls.
10 Sandringham Place, Hucknall – single-storey front extension to porch.
24 Hazel Meadows, Hucknall – single-storey rear extension.
99 Clumber Street, Kirkby – single-storey rear extension.
Unit 3, Summit Close, Kirkby – proposal for existing use of storage and distribution.
194 Moor Road, Papplewick – work to sycamore trees protected by preservation order.
Parkside Bungalow, Church Street, Kirkby – ground-floor side extension, conversion of attic, including dormer window at side, alterations to roof and changes to window openings.
1 Lane End, Kirkby – application for approval of details reserved by conditions attached to planning permission previously granted. The conditions relate to remediation method statement, ecological enhancement details and soft landscaping.
The Quarry, 57 Stoneyford Road, Sutton – application for approval of details reserved by conditions attached to planning permission previously granted. The conditions relate to site access, site management plan and materials and finishes of stone wall.
52 Moseley Road, Annesley – felling of tree within conservation area to create off-road parking.
THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/