Consultation launched on Richmond College redevelopment

12.21.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Jul 2008

• A SIX-WEEK public consultation is being launched which will help shape the future of the Richmond upon Thames College site in Egerton Road.

The draft planning brief, being issued for public comment by Richmond Council, is intended to bring forward comprehensive redevelopment to provide state-of-the-art, sustainable buildings while ensuring the interests of local residents and the wider area are fully taken into account. The brief aims to ensure that the redevelopment of the site for the new campus, additional sports pitches and, possibly, an element of housing, will also bring improvements to the Crane Valley and neighbouring residential areas, including less traffic in residential roads, improved pedestrian and cycle routes, and improvements to the playing fields on Craneford Way.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said: "This is a major opportunity to create an exciting and stimulating learning environment based on an attractively designed new campus. It is a requirement that the new buildings are highly sustainable, with significant levels of energy through renewable technologies. The site forms part of the wider Crane Valley area and through redevelopment the brief aims to enhance this strategically important, open space corridor. It is vital that we hear the views of local people as they will help shape the future of this very important site."