Renaissance projects

RCAT

Rotherham College of Arts & Technology are progressing revised proposals for its town-centre campus. The scheme involves a proposed investment of some £8m and is a planned first phase of a multi-phased campus renewal strategy.

The College is funding the investment from its own sources but requires formal Learning & Skills Council (LSC) approval for the project. A submission was issued to the LSC in February, for which a decision is awaited shortly.

The new building will be sited in the location currently occupied by Floreat House – the
Starting Point building. The College has no plans to vacate other buildings in the town-centre.

A new entrance will face Howard Street, the main pedestrian route from the town centre. This entrance level will have a mostly glazed façade, presenting an open appearance to encourage users into the building.

A secondary entrance onto Morpeth Street (at ground floor) will encourage movement between the refurbished Clifton and Eastwood Buildings, via a landscaped area that will unify and define the campus as a semi-private space while maintaining the public,
pedestrian route between Percy Street and Eastwood Lane.

The scheme is based on some 2,005 sq m of new build floorspace including an allowance of 30 sq m for a new entrance at Eastwood, and 1,375 sq m of refurbished floorspace in the Clifton building.

A BREEAM Excellent rating is being targeted for the new building.

The College is seeking to provide a higher quality campus, with better linkages between its main buildings. This will be achieved with investment in key external spaces, notably around Morpeth Street and the junction with Eastwood Lane.

It is envisaged that the metered parking in Morpeth Street will be relocated and that the road will be retained purely to facilitate the limited servicing access required by the College.

During 2008/09 the College was unsuccessful in terms of LSC Funding for a major  campus redevelopment. This was undoubtedly a set-back, however the revised  proposals provide a critical foundation for the future. The opening of the new building and refurbished space has been programmed for September 2011. A planning application is to be submitted shortly.