College in Mansfield unveils £6 million plan to build modern apartments on campus
A respected college in Mansfield has unveiled a £6 million project to build new apartments on campus for its residential students.
The long-established Portland College, off Nottingham Road in Harlow Wood, boasts a glowing national reputation as a leading independent, specialist charity that provides tailored education and vocational training for people with disabilities.
It also offers residential care and independent living, but The Laurels, a campus building that used to house 60 one-bed flats, has not been in use for several years.
So now, the college has submitted a planning application to Ashfield District Council to demolish it and replace it with a modern two-storey structure that houses 20 one-bed apartments and nine two-bed.
The exciting project would be overseen by the Derby-based firm, Sigma Architects, which says it will cost £6 million but bring huge benefits to the college, which caters for almost 300 disabled students, aged from 16 to 60.
Sigma says: “Set in Sherwood Forest’s green belt, Portland College is replacing the deteriorated Laurels building with a modern facility for assisted living.
"Designed to sit harmoniously within its surroundings, the new structure features a bold form, a mix of traditional and modern materials, and expansive glazing for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.
"This redevelopment would ensure a sustainable, accessible and inspiring space for future generations.”
To support the application, Sigma has submitted a planning statement, detailing the proposal, which would also include secure parking spaces for 34 vehicles and 39 cycles.
Describing The Laurels as “obsolete”, the statement says: “The building was previously used for the residential care of students with varying physical and mental disabilities.
"But it was massively under-utilised due to the poor layout and outdated facilities. It placed an economic strain on the college and, consequently, it has been closed down for the past few years.
"The building has reached the end of its functional life and no longer meets modern expectations in terms of accessibility, residential standards, operational efficiency or energy performance.
"The replacement scheme has been designed to provide new accommodation to support the college’s independent living programme.
"This programme is for existing or previous students who seek safe, affordable accommodation. Its aim is to provide people with the skills and confidence to transition into living independently or in supported homes after Portland.”
Sigma says the new building would blend in well with the college’s 32-acre woodland campus, “adopting a traditional but contemporary appearance” and creating opportunities for enhanced landscaping and biodiversity improvements”.
It would provide “a safe and comfortable living environment”, with “good levels of daylight and ventilation” and surrounding trees retained where possible
In conclusion, the statement says: “The redevelopment of The Laurels is an opportunity to regenerate a disused building site.
"This proposal represents the replacement of outdated and inefficient accommodation with a purpose-designed, accessible building that would meet current operational requirements while supporting the college’s continued delivery of specialist education and residential care services.”
The council’s planning officers are currently considering the scheme and have set a deadline date of Wednesday, October 14 for a decision or recommendation.
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/